some intermediate questions

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

When do I switch them to bigger (chicken) grit, and if they are roaming around the pastures, do they need to be given grit? Shoudl I just offer it free choice seperate from the food or should I mix it in the grub?

If they are out on pasture they will find their own grit. We never give our birds grit if their runs are dirt they can get pebbles out of it on pasture they will find pebbles or what not. But if it makes you feel better you can give it to them free choice in a separate container off by their feed.​

 

[chickenannie]

If they are on pasture, they will find their own grit (by pecking around in the dirt). No need to feed extra grit. They usually pick up stones while dustbathing -- if you watch when they dustbathe you'll notice it. If they haven't started dustbathing yet, you can always get them started by taking a shovel and lightly scraping the grass off the top, then dig down about an inch and leave the loose soil there. They will be attracted to it like a turkey to a june bug!

(my turkey hen was flying to her tree-top roost this week when she put the brakes on.... ran back a few feet... snatched up a fat juicy June bug... then continued on her way to fly up to the tree branch).

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
Off a tree.

The one I use is about 1.5" or so at the butt end and about 3' long, nothing fancy just a stick to wave to the side of them when you want them to go the other direction or u gotta mean tom.

My "best" turkey sticks, when the job gets tough, is 2 tomato stakes that are 6 feet long. Then a neon-green T-shirt was ripped in half and fastened to the ends with string and tape (like a small 10 x 12 flag at the end). The bright color and the length works great, and the birds can even see me herding them at night.

Other than that, I can use any kind of stick I can reach, or a broom handle or two.

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
The chute thing was invented after a really rough night (freezing cold and dark) trying to herd a pastured flock into a 3-foot wide door to a pen they had never been in before. Arrgghhh. I have 2 8-foot rolls of wire fencing that I moved into place (starting along the fence) so that I could herd them along the fence, and once they hit the flexible fencing, it curved around and just "corralled" them right into the door of the pen. Worked great and enabled me to herd a large group by myself without help.
You know what they say, the mother of invention is necessity.

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
That is why you had such troubles keeping them in your pasture. They would jump/fly up to the top board and then go over. Best fence to keep them in a pasture is a t post and field fencing with all corner braces running at a 45 deg angle and the mid cross brace to be at a 45 deg angle as well and point off all wooden post to keep them from roosting on them as well. At gates I have found that you can attach a 2-3' piece of wire mesh to the top and this will keep them from landing on it as well. You can do this as well on existing fence corners that are running flat.

Ours don't fly over the fence unless something(dog) is chasing them or they find something to land on that is higher then the fence and then they go over, but from ground just fly completely over with out landing on something just very rarely ever happens.

I REALLY want to know what you mean with the 45 degree angle, but I just don't get your description, and I don't know what a brace is (of corner, or mid-cross persuasion). Sorry! Can you explain it to me, an extremely carpentry-challenged individual. Or, better yet, post a pic?

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

Quote:
Off a tree.

The one I use is about 1.5" or so at the butt end and about 3' long, nothing fancy just a stick to wave to the side of them when you want them to go the other direction or u gotta mean tom.

My "best" turkey sticks, when the job gets tough, is 2 tomato stakes that are 6 feet long. Then a neon-green T-shirt was ripped in half and fastened to the ends with string and tape (like a small 10 x 12 flag at the end). The bright color and the length works great, and the birds can even see me herding them at night.

Other than that, I can use any kind of stick I can reach, or a broom handle or two.

i have a hickory shepherds hook - which comes in mighty handy (see my signature) .... plus you can use the hook part to trip them if they are running from you
;-)

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Here is a couple pics of an inside/outside corner and a in line brace to help hold fence tight on long runs. You'll notice that the brace is ran at a 45 deg angle instead of flat like regular fences are built. This will help keep the turks from going over the fence.

In Line Brace

Corner Brace

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
Harp,
These aren't even pics of "the Ranch" , come on now

Steve inNC

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Well I guess you are back, Steve

Did I say they ever were ???

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
No you didn't, but the point is you can't use somebody's pics without their permission. On Ebay and other sites it will get you kicked off the site, I think BYC should adopt the same rule.

Steve in NC