Should I worry? Turkeys gone with wild ones...

[chickn]

oh spook, wish we were closer, i would be over to help search. i am hoping they make it back.

 

[wilds of pa]

Look free ranging is a good thing for our turkeys, however with that said there is only one thing we all can do out of respect for wild turkeys and that would be during mating seasons try to keep your pets penned, its only like a 2 month period if that for most states esp here in the colder climate states give the wild turkeys time to do there thing..
i hate to see gene pools lost, I'm sure most feel the same way about this as i do.

I know in Maine they are surly not breeding yet..

i hope they come back to you.
if both wings are clipped, there is a small chance they can still get up some what, possibly to hop higher into the tree's.

Struttn1, i truly wanted to apologize for jumping all over you the other day and i know you have plenty of respect for wild game as i do..so sorry to have lost it..

Charlie

 

[spook]

I agree with what you have all said, you also Charlie, you cannot even guess how severely kicked myself in the butt and how terrible I feel for taking such a chance on allowing them out, now. Hind sight is always 20/20.
Having met one of the many men that went, trapped and brought the Eastern Wild Turkey back to Maine, I respect the laws of genetics and importance of keeping domestic and wild apart.
Basically if they do not return, I have given to asking the local hunters to destroy them when it becomes Turkey season.
Its been a difficult couple of days needless to say.

 

[Struttn1]

No prob Charlie. I got some pretty tough hide.

 

[spook]

Still no return even tho the wild group was here and passed by several times no one in the neighborhood has seen them.
My neighbor and DH went up walking turkey trails, no signs of them even been there.

I've kept their food out, pen open, but what is your take on this? My opinion is that they will not return at this point.

 

[sandspoultry]

I hate to say it but, they probably couldn't keep up or got seperated from the wilds. They would be easy prey for predators.

Sorry
Steve

 

[98 gt]

Quote:
but they may also be fine still... never give up hope unless they obviously arentcoming back...

 

[spook]

I'd love to think and feel positive, but reality hit on day 2. This area I'm in is near a lot of people that feed wild life and I've covered all the surrounding neighbors in hopes that someone would spot one, but absolutely no calls.
Having lost all hope, I will finish my job with the garage and pen that had been built for the turkey's, clean it out, and I'll plan on putting meat birds in there. ~ Still having sick to my stomach issues with them not returning. Ah well, take care of yourselves, thanks for your kind and supportive words.

 

[walkswithdog]

Hugs Spook, you're doing all you can.

Just a note as to keeping the wild ones pure... There is no season on taking out livestock that have gone rogue. They're still yours and they're still livestock so if it is necessary - they can be shot when they're found.

Seasons are for wild things. Seasons don't apply to loose peking ducks or runaway Narri's or any other livestock that have gotten loose and threaten genepools.

 

[pdpatch]

If they are spotted you may still be able to get them back.

You can build a capture pen, and about a half dozen to dozen people to heard them into the capture pen.

A capture pen would be a covered pens because the turkeys will fly over and they are not in a molting period. the entrace has a would be open and fence on both side in a "v" shape.

Once the Turkeys get inside a couple of people would be need to go in and get them. One to get the turkey and a couple to help seperate them and guard against the wild one attacking. If you have a collage with an animal behaviour class they might be able to help with people and some materials.

It's a possiblility, but not a sure thing
Tom