Something is killing my turkeys during the day.

[wyturkey]

My turkeys are completely free range and they did really well for a long time. Now, something is killing them during the day. Whatever it is is taking the head off and eating the insides from the neck down. I can't think of what would do it during the day and close to the house? Any ideas?

 

[Jeanette56]

From what I've read, a Hawk is your most likely predator.
Here are some links that may help -
http://swampyacresfarm.com/ChickenPredators.html
http://www.grit.com/livestock/chickens/predators-of-chickens.aspx
Sorry to hear about your losses.

 

[Oregon Blues]

It would require a huge hawk to take on a turkey. Since the largest hawk in the USA is only about 3 pounds, and most of them are closer to 1 pound, I don't think hawk is very likely.

Whatever it is, if you want to keep turkeys, it appears to be time to pen them up in safe housing, so whatever it is can't reach them.

During the day, the most likely suspect is a loose dog. However, that is just a guess and doesn't really tell you what is killing your birds.

 

[bluejeans]

bob cats do hunt in the day also.. claw marks wont show up in the track as it does for fox, dogs coyotes etc.

i would think that they would drag the carcass off though and bury it ,, as thats a lot of meat to eat at one time ..sure its not a Dog?

 

[bluejeans]

get with your game warden he may let you set out traps or snares.

 

[zekii]

Not sure where you live, but minks/weasels hunt during the day...they'll kill for food...!!!
I've even seen foxes during the day.

 

[the outdoorsman44]

do you have a game camera?

 

[centrarchid]

How certain are you that losses are not incurred at night? Partial consumtion in a consistent manner not typical of dog. Coyote and bobcat would pack carcass off. Fox might have trouble doing to. Raccoon or great-horned owl might be doing it. Both after dark are capable of killing even a tom turkey but neither can move it much afterwards.