The Quack Shack

[duluthralphie]

Ok, even though this is not the gobble shack, i will ask a Turkey question. I have quite a few acres, most of it wooded. Where I grew up there were lots of wild turkey. Are there any heritage breeds that might be suitable to turn loose on the property once they were of a size to try to establish a semi wild flock? Or is everything so domesticated as to have no chance out of a coop.

I have no idea, but my guess is they would survive if you let enough loose. You have to train them to go inside. They prefer outside, except for my spoiled birds that Never go outside.

 

[Trimurtisan]

Hey Trim! I live in Central Florida too and just fell in love with the feathered frenzy as well. Actually nine days ago. We are raising five ducks, one didn't make it and three runners along with three geese arrive next Wednesday. Super excited! I'm excited to read about your journey....

Well hi there Tribal, it's nice to meet you. Welcome to BYC and your new poultry addiction.

So what kind of duck is it you already have? Runners are my absolute favorite of all. ❤❤❤

So what area are you in? I'm out in the east side of Orlando. Feel free to post some pictures and join in on the chat.

 

[duluthralphie]

Ok, even though this is not the gobble shack, i will ask a Turkey question. I have quite a few acres, most of it wooded. Where I grew up there were lots of wild turkey. Are there any heritage breeds that might be suitable to turn loose on the property once they were of a size to try to establish a semi wild flock? Or is everything so domesticated as to have no chance out of a coop.

I should have asked, are the trees tall enough for them to roost in and be safe from predators?


The other thing is turkeys get pretty attached to people so you would have to be very careful to not imprint on them.

Maybe have a hen dux or chicken hatch and raise them. It’s kind of fun to have a chicken raise turkeys. At about a month the turkeys are larger than the turkeys and turkeys imprint so strongly they will follow that poor hen for months.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I also heard this is a good way to train Guinea to go in at dusk. I always wanted Turkeys but having everyone sleeping in with my chickens always made me worried about what is that dreaded disease? Mind just exited stage left!

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Yes. I have tall pine, post oak, live oak, sweet gum et c. Most of it probably 40-60 years but some oak a 100 or so. A lot of it is under run with youpon, native orange, dogwood, Redbud and other undergrowth. So plenty of tall nesting places and underbrush to hide in. I would plan to feed them because I would want them to stay on the property. If they wander to my neighbors, they will be shot and eaten. sorry TMI. I will go away and do some research and report back.

 

[Trimurtisan]

I also heard this is a good way to train Guinea to go in at dusk. I always wanted Turkeys but having everyone sleeping in with my chickens always made me worried about what is that dreaded disease? Mind just exited stage left!

Blackhead?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I knew it had black in It,but all that would come up was plague and I just knew that wasn’t it.

 

[Trimurtisan]

sorry TMI.

That sounds like a legitimate threat, not TMI.
You can ask all the turkey questions here you'd like. Don't feel like there is an actual narrative of the thread.

 

[tribalacres]

Well hi there Tribal, it's nice to meet you. Welcome to BYC and your new poultry addiction.

So what kind of duck is it you already have? Runners are my absolute favorite of all. ❤❤❤

So what area are you in? I'm out in the east side of Orlando. Feel free to post some pictures and join in on the chat.

Our farm home is in Polk County. We have a Peking duck, not sure the other two, and two chocolate runners along with tons more amazing animals. Just redid our back and fenced it in and now building the “Quack Shack” for the Ducks that’s how I found Your thread. Search quack shack.

 

[duluthralphie]

Yes. I have tall pine, post oak, live oak, sweet gum et c. Most of it probably 40-60 years but some oak a 100 or so. A lot of it is under run with youpon, native orange, dogwood, Redbud and other undergrowth. So plenty of tall nesting places and underbrush to hide in. I would plan to feed them because I would want them to stay on the property. If they wander to my neighbors, they will be shot and eaten. sorry TMI. I will go away and do some research and report back.

You could probably keep them on your property fairly easy then, depending on how much land you own.

My turkeys are lazy and spoiled, they hardly walk 200 ft from the shed, most just hang out in the rafters all day.