My turkeys are dumb

[Newchickenguy84]

I have royal palms my second batch. However I am having a hard time keeping them in my yard. They like to get onto my back porch and fly off not knowing how to get back into the yard or they will fly onto my fence jump over and to stupid to fly back over. I have already in this batch lost one to that. I have a guard dog for the birds but doesn't do crap if they keep flying over. I know their habits so I don't have the issue when I'm home. The problem is when someone else is watching them. I had to have them cooped up all the time it seems to be the only option. Anyone else have some ideas?

 

[HappyDuckie]

@R2elk

 

[RLockhart68]

I had turkeys over the summer. The heritage ones are definitely a challenge to keep home The only suggestion I have would be to clip their wings so they can't fly over.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Mine tended to roam a bit (not a big deal cause they have 20 acres to do so) but it seemed once they were adults they didn't roam quite as much as when they were young

 

[Newchickenguy84]

I had turkeys over the summer. The heritage ones are definitely a challenge to keep home The only suggestion I have would be to clip their wings so they can't fly over.

As much as my wife would hate that. Might be the best possible outcome. I've been trying to catch that fox for over a year now

 

[RLockhart68]

As much as my wife would hate that. Might be the best possible outcome. I've been trying to catch that fox for over a year now

I'm with her on hating the idea. Like I said it is the only thing I can think of. Mine went to "freezer camp" a couple weeks early because the neighbors dog got to have a turkey dinner before we did. I'm hoping to have a better set up for next years group.

 

[Newchickenguy84]

Mine tended to roam a bit (not a big deal cause they have 20 acres to do so) but it seemed once they were adults they didn't roam quite as much as when they were young

yeah I had a pair for about a year before the fox got them not 10 yards from the house. I could see it but I was afraid of the spread of the shotgun to hit the bird. 2 weeks later the fox it it anyways. Bird kept flying over the fence to due to wild toms. This time at the start had 2 hens and 2 toms. 1 hen flew over didn't know how to get backover (wasn't hope) dead. Now I have 2 toms 1 hen.

 

[Newchickenguy84]

Clipping the wings seems to be the best idea. My next question would be how often should I do it?

 

[RLockhart68]

Clipping the wings seems to be the best idea. My next question would be how often should I do it?

Hopefully once you do it once you won't need to because they will just learn to be happy at home. Otherwise I don't know how often it should be done.

 

[yesterDAYNE]

If I have any escapee birds I trim one wing every time I notice them getting on top of things they dont need to again / when the flight feathers grow back. You only want to clip the long feathers at the end of their wings. Theres youtube videos on either turkeys or chickens that can probably show you better.