Turkenstein25's Turkey Talk for 2015

[Peepers4Piper]

They are here! And I'm in love already! 5 BRs, 5 MWs, and 5 BSs. Wish me luck!

 

[Ironsights]

I am getting a couple!

 

[chickadoodles]

Congrats Peepers! And Welcome!

Welcome Ironsights!

 

[CheesePoultry]

Well, we did end up losing 4 poults out of 18, but Porter's had shipped 2 extra, which worked out fine. Two were DOA, so we had the 16 we originally ordered, and we lost 2 more a day or two later. Still, the ones left my hubby says look really good and strong, very active and running around. He's got them in an old stock tank with some lamps on them and an old window on the top of that, weighted down with bricks so no critters can get them. Once the weather warms up and they have their feathers he will transfer them to the movable coops in the pasture. We'll see how they look for the county fair; they may be a bit immature/young yet then (Labor Day weekend) but we might bring them anyway!

 

[Bowslayer2]

I have a question for other Turkey owners....

Currently, I have Black Spanish Turkeys and we really like them. However, they do not seem to want to stay on our property, which pisses off one of our neighbors. The 9 acres we have is completely fenced in with woven wire fence (to keep the goats and pigs in), but as you may already know...Turkeys are really good fliers! They have no problem "hopping" the 5-foot fence. So....I caught four of them and trimmed their wings. All was good as they roosted on the ground until something killed and ate them all in one night. However, the Turkeys that roost 6+ feet up were and have always been just fine. I walked the perimeter of the fence and saw where something had dug under the fence. I filled in the hole, but obviously it could happen again. I later shot a couple of foxes...

Our turkeys will not go in the coop, even if it is 20 below zero as they prefer to roost outside (yes....it gets that cold in Montana). So I have given up on trying to "force" them into a coop and to be quite honest, I can't really catch them every night anyways. Although they are friendly, they are not friendly enough for me to "easily" catch and force into a coop they don't want to go into anyways.

When I cut off the primary feathers of the right wing, it unbalances them and they cannot fly very well, keeping them in the pasture. However, they also cannot fly up to the roost.

I have been thinking about building a "stepped" roost starting at about 3 or 4-feet high and going higher so they can jump from one rung to the next. Has anyone ever used this or does anyone have any other suggestions?
If we want to keep the turkeys (and we do) we have to cut the primary feathers of one wing to keep them on the property, but it is just a matter of time before a hungry predator digs under the fence again. It is also apparent that if they can get 5 to 6 feet off the ground, they are safe.....so just feeling around for comments or suggestions if anyone has had a similar problem with their turkeys.

thanks!

 

[WalnutHill]

Our roosts are staggered, first pole up 2', next pole up 2' more, next up 2' more. Six feet away and parallel to that roost is another roost, first pole at 3', next pole at 5'. Ours are indoors so predators are no threat, but if you had a bird roost too low it could still be taken even if higher poles were available. So, if you have the option, maybe sink a tree trunk in the ground with about 4' exposed so they can hop on that and use it as a launch to the higher roost about 6' away.

 

[RuzichFamily]

My hen lays and sits on her eggs in the house but does not stay in there unless broody. The tom never goes in but perches up high.

 

[Ironsights]

You might also consider covering the legs of your roosts with tin up to a height that the local critters can't reach. This will prevent the climbers, raccoons, possums, etc. from having Thanksgiving early.

 

[Bowslayer2]

Thanks everyone for the replies....I think i will try a staggered roost for them that allows them to start low and jump higher...hopefully they would jump to higher roosts..
Thanks!

 

[CowboysAngel]

Chocolate update...I really need to name her Now that she's staying...I let her decide when to "set" and she did...she really seems to enjoy the job...I watched her for a bit carefully standing a lil so she could readjust and turn the eggs under her ever so gently...I kidnapped one and took it in and candled it...I saw a really good air sac, saw a dark shape taking up about half of the shell and thought I saw movement/heartbeat... If they were infertile I wouldn't see darkness would I? Just the aircell and empty space?