Poults… wild or domestic?

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

These 2 poults were wandering in our front yard last evening. I’ve found conflicting info online about how to tell if they’re wild or domestic. Someone on FB said they’re wild and contact DNR. But other folks have said you can only tell based on behavior.

Based on behavior, I think they’re domestic. I have chickens that act more wild than these 2. They’ve shown no fear of us, and only stayed about an arms length away, making them easy to catch with just a 2’ long butterfly net. One seemed unwell last night, before we caught it, it kept sitting fluffed up and closing eyes. Otherwise they look normal- no signs of injury or illness l. Maybe they just seem tame because they’re exhausted and hungry?

They appear to be 3ish weeks old based on pictures I found online. They spent the night without heat in a small plastic crate outside. It’s summer but of course this was the one “nice” night where temps dropped to about 55-60. It will get to 83 today. They appeared to be pecking at food in a bowl I gave them this morning. They are mostly feathered.

1- Do I need to get them on heat ASAP? Or will they be okay as the day warms up? [ETA: I’m reluctant to have them come into contact with brooder supplies in case they’re sick- this is why I ask about immediate need vs. if they stay with me longer].

2- Is there a way to tell, visually, if they’re wild [I’ll contact DNR] or domestic [Ill make a “found pet” post on Nextdoor and maybe become a turkey keeper].

3- I’m caring for them as if they’re chickens. Is there anything turkeys this age need that is different from chickens?

 

[R2elk]

Young wild turkeys can seem as tame as domestics depending on how the hen reacted around people. With many people feeding the wild ones, they can become very acclimated to people.

A neighbor has the wild ones walk right into his coop with his domestic turkeys.

Sounds like the sickly one may have coccidiosis which can be treated with Corid.

It is a very good idea to keep them separated from your flock in case of any diseases.

Turkey poults need a high protein turkey or game bird starter feed. Chick starter feed does not contain the higher protein, lysine, methionine and niacin levels that poults need for proper development.

Chicken layer feed has too high of calcium for poults and can cause kidney damage.

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

Young wild turkeys can seem as tame as domestics depending on how the hen reacted around people. With many people feeding the wild ones, they can become very acclimated to people.

A neighbor has the wild ones walk right into his coop with his domestic turkeys.

Sounds like the sickly one may have coccidiosis which can be treated with Corid.

It is a very good idea to keep them separated from your flock in case of any diseases.

Turkey poults need a high protein turkey or game bird starter feed. Chick starter feed does not contain the higher protein, lysine, methionine and niacin levels that poults need for proper development.

Chicken layer feed has too high of calcium for poults and can cause kidney damage.

Thanks for this info. I gave them Purina Flock Raiser (all-flock). DNR said to let them go and either mom will come back for them or nature will take its course.

This is easier said than done.

Do you know if a momma wild turkey would leave her young and come back for them later? A chicken hen would never do that. Especially at this age. If these were chickens and mom tried to leave, they’d follow her.

 

[R2elk]

Thanks for this info. I gave them Purina Flock Raiser (all-flock). DNR said to let them go and either mom will come back for them or nature will take its course.

This is easier said than done.

Do you know if a momma wild turkey would leave her young and come back for them later? A chicken hen would never do that. Especially at this age. If these were chickens and mom tried to leave, they’d follow her.

All too often wild hens lose poults. Something startles the group. The hen will call the poults to her. If they don't come because of any number of reasons, she will leave with the ones had.

I had one leave a poult here last month. Eventually it found its way into my coop. Mama may have abandoned it because there was something wrong with it since it died later that day.

A chicken hen in the wild would act similar.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Do you know if a momma wild turkey would leave her young and come back for them later? A chicken hen would never do that. Especially at this age. If these were chickens and mom tried to leave, they’d follow her.

I doubt it. We had wild turkeys at my barn and they would start off with dozens of hatchlings and end up losing the vast majority of them. Once they've been separated they don't tend to go back to mom. You're better off keeping them if you have the space/resources for them as they'll probably get picked off if you let them go.

 

[R2elk]

I doubt it. We had wild turkeys at my barn and they would start off with dozens of hatchlings and end up losing the vast majority of them. Once they've been separated they don't tend to go back to mom. You're better off keeping them if you have the space/resources for them as they'll probably get picked off if you let them go.

If they are wild poults, it is illegal to keep them.

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

If they are wild poults, it is illegal to keep them.

I doubt it. We had wild turkeys at my barn and they would start off with dozens of hatchlings and end up losing the vast majority of them. Once they've been separated they don't tend to go back to mom. You're better off keeping them if you have the space/resources for them as they'll probably get picked off if you let them go.

We ended up releasing them. It wasn't an easy decision.

I did some research and determined that I'm not equipped to keep turkeys, nor do I want to go that route. I didn't feel comfortable giving them away, as I do believe they were wild.

I'm telling myself that I can't remove wild prey from wild predators if I don't want those same wild predators coming after my domestic prey.