I'm new to the turkey world. I recently got five turkeys (4 hens 1 Tom). Two of the hens like to "fly the coop" around late afternoon. They stay in all day it's only when it's getting closer to evening time that they go out. I have wild turkeys out here and I don't wanna lose them. Should I clip their wings or fence in the top?
I'd try fencing the top. I hate to clip wings, but if you need to do that to keep them safe, then do it. You can't stop a turkey from trying to sleep in the trees or lay eggs in the woods - so if you have to physically restrain them, then do it.
I had a similar dilemma. My hen would "bound" over our fence, then up on to our cars. Not so cool. I have a 6' no climb fence. I don't know how much you would have to add to the top of your fence to ensure they would not get over it. That would be a shame if you added to the top...but it wasn't enough. I ended up clipping my hen's wing (on one side). That was last fall, and I haven't clipped it again. I kind of think she broke the habit, and doesn't realize her wing feathers have grown out again.
Our fence is already about ten feet high and those hens are up and over it like nothing. It's only the two who do it though.
