Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[cheeka]

Wild Tom!! I could tell he was thirsty and he wasn't afraid of me, so I led him to the bucket, splashed the water a bit so he would see it...

oh man... I told him he was beautiful., that's it. he's smitten.

he's young. his spurs are maybe a bit over an inch long. his beard is ratty. but his fan is great.

he's magnificent! and a divine dancer! he followed me around the yard to the great annoyance of the chickens... for about 90 minutes!!!!!!!

lol! I know, should be captioned with "he's moving in..." but what really happened was even funnier. My cousin Bobby was sitting on the step and the Tom approached him, his behavior was suddenly different and I said something along the line of "watch out" and bam! Bobby got flogged. not a bad one, but enough to make him jump up and attempt to lash back. but I wouldn't let him. I made him go inside right away. told him I would handle it. so the Tom is watching him through the door. every time Bobby reappeared, the Tom went after him (I was laughing my head off! neither of the "he's" were amused...)

Royce > really. do something. now.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Holy drumstick, Batman! You grow 'em big out there! What a bold bird he is. My dad has trouble with males attacking their reflections in his glass patio doors. He tries to chase them off, but they don't understand why this human is interfering in a turkey battle.
Poor Royce. Poor Brutus! How can they ever compete?

 

[cheeka]

they sure do get big! there's plenty for them to eat... it's hunting season... I'm surprised as all get out that he's out and about! but it was afternoon... no shooting past 12:00. he must have a pocket watch.
it was a really cool experience and if I can get the link, I'll post the video. I've only uploaded it to Facebook. need to make a YouTube one... I'll do it over the weekend. we have the food drive tomorrow and the Tulip Festival is in Albany on Sunday. crossing my fingers that I have enough energy to go... millions of tulips to photograph!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I can see your Facebook page without having an account! Yay! I was thinking the same thing as Lindz- are you sure he's wild?

He might not be anymore! The boys sure do love you. I think it's amazing how male animals respond to men and women differently. I noticed it with our farm roosters. They would always dance for me, but not my brother. And the stallion would be a real gentleman around me and my mom, but would give my dad heck. He's got a big divot in his upper arm where Fleet chomped him. Didn't break the skin, but killed the muscle tissue. Even though he behaved for me, I was very respectful and careful around him.

The lighting was just perfect for your pictures and the video was great. Too bad you didn't film him harassing your poor cousin!

 

[cheeka]

oh that's cool! glad you saw it! now, I knew he was a wild turkey as soon as I saw him. but his behavior really was more of a domesticated bird, so I walked him up the road - I walked this bird all over the place... asking people if they knew anything, or were missing a turkey... nope on all counts, but the neighbor a half mile up has a turkey hen. she said she saw him lurking around yesterday. it's mating season... so I think he's on the hunt and is just young enough to fall for the Whisperer. it will be interesting to see if he comes back. he knows where water is anyway. it's really dry here, really really dry. water tables are low. I could tell he was thirsty, but even when encouraging him to go a field with good cover, he was following me back to the house. I tried to get him to lose sight of me, but he was smart... he kept finding me. it was fascinating to discover that he is as keen as a 2+ year old kid playing hide and seek.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Good that you didn't torture Cuz tooooo much!

I'm surprised that you are dry after all the snow this winter. So many people were getting too much rain, us not enough. It just snowed in the Sierra last couple of days- more snow than for all of January, which isn't saying much. The ocean temps have finally cooled here (48º off Bodega Bay) so we are getting our usual fog in the morning summer pattern. No rain, but at least it slows the drying a bit. Hope this doesn't become the new norm, and you guys get some rain soon.

 

[BullChick]

I had to find the hose this morning. That was traumatic. I was able to find it, but it wouldn't reach my new tree. I was about to get a bucket from the coop when I saw my plastic chore/wheel barrel thingy. I filled it with water, and didn't have to carry a heavy bucket. Woo hoo! It's going to get a lot of use this summer!
There is a good chance of rain tomorrow. Sorry for the moms wanting picnics, but the ground is dry here too despite a lot of rain this past Tuesday through Thursday. I really hope I can keep my garden alive!

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Hey all, I went to the garden centre for some tuber potatoes and came home with this, I think it's adorable and I couldn't resist!

 

[cheeka]

W4W, the turkey is still here, and today, he flogged my neighbor and the two ladies who came to visit to pick up a few bantam pullets. they were laughing, but it wasn't funny... he was chasing them... I actually caught him, picked him up so they could dash inside the house - he weighs at least 20 lbs. what was funny? he didn't mind me picking him up! I put him in the Dome, which was totally empty, including the nests... and shut the door on him. then we had peace in the yard. he didn't mind. explored happily.
the Dome dwellers minded - even tho' they had no interest in going home. took Brutus a good hour to forgive me.

incredible the range of color... for his... wattle? top is white/light pink, next, it's mixed with blue

deep pink

to dark red...

Brutus is giving me "what for".

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Good heavens! I cannot imagine a wild turkey allowing anyone to pick it up. Must be his hormone soaked brain, Or maybe he was raised by a person? Seems very odd, though. Glad nobody got hurt. Going to have to be careful when Mylee comes. He didn't bother Ruby. I see her sitting back there.