Turkeys moving outside

[FeatheredFriends916]

I have 2 eight week old poults. They have lived inside, last 2 weeks I've been bringing them outside for an hour or two at a time when less hot. The last 4 or 5 days I've been putting them into a run for a bit. However, run or just free roaming in my backyard they end up just calling for me, once they see me they run to me and I used to think it was cute, but now not so much. They have a decent size backyard to roam, this morning I put treats and a few toys in the run and closed it but I couldn't leave for more than 5 minutes without them screaming, they didn't even eat the treats. I am sitting at the far end of my covered porch so they can see me and they aren't screaming but they are just packing the one wall of the run. If I go towards them they start chirping and playing with a toy I put in there, how do I break this? I don't want them stressing. If I let them free roam, they just end up at my sliding door screaming. Is there enrichment I can add, any ideas for them to sleep in since they were sleeping in a 6ft trough, or should I just build a roosting tree and expect them to sleep on it?
First time turkey, duck and chicken mom trying to do my best and learn along the way. Thanks so much <3

 

[R2elk]

I have 2 eight week old poults. They have lived inside, last 2 weeks I've been bringing them outside for an hour or two at a time when less hot. The last 4 or 5 days I've been putting them into a run for a bit. However, run or just free roaming in my backyard they end up just calling for me, once they see me they run to me and I used to think it was cute, but now not so much. They have a decent size backyard to roam, this morning I put treats and a few toys in the run and closed it but I couldn't leave for more than 5 minutes without them screaming, they didn't even eat the treats. I am sitting at the far end of my covered porch so they can see me and they aren't screaming but they are just packing the one wall of the run. If I go towards them they start chirping and playing with a toy I put in there, how do I break this? I don't want them stressing. If I let them free roam, they just end up at my sliding door screaming. Is there enrichment I can add, any ideas for them to sleep in since they were sleeping in a 6ft trough, or should I just build a roosting tree and expect them to sleep on it?
First time turkey, duck and chicken mom trying to do my best and learn along the way. Thanks so much <3

You human imprinted them and no, once human imprinted you cannot undo it.

Your current behavior toward them is encouraging their behavior.

Stop with all the treats, they don't need them. Leave them alone. Do not reward their "screaming" by giving them attention. If you have to check on them, do it from somewhere that you can see them but they can't see you.

 

[Pearlescent]

I have 2 eight week old poults. They have lived inside, last 2 weeks I've been bringing them outside for an hour or two at a time when less hot. The last 4 or 5 days I've been putting them into a run for a bit. However, run or just free roaming in my backyard they end up just calling for me, once they see me they run to me and I used to think it was cute, but now not so much. They have a decent size backyard to roam, this morning I put treats and a few toys in the run and closed it but I couldn't leave for more than 5 minutes without them screaming, they didn't even eat the treats. I am sitting at the far end of my covered porch so they can see me and they aren't screaming but they are just packing the one wall of the run. If I go towards them they start chirping and playing with a toy I put in there, how do I break this? I don't want them stressing. If I let them free roam, they just end up at my sliding door screaming. Is there enrichment I can add, any ideas for them to sleep in since they were sleeping in a 6ft trough, or should I just build a roosting tree and expect them to sleep on it?
First time turkey, duck and chicken mom trying to do my best and learn along the way. Thanks so much <3

As R2elk said, they are imprinted on you.

They think you are mom, and they don’t want mom to abandon them.

Just ignore them, and don’t let them see you. It took my first one, who was a single (not ideal, but I didn’t have a choice.), 48 hours to get over me and accept living outside with my chickens. She was about 8 weeks too. I know it can be hard, I hate seeing them so unhappy, but they’ll get over it.

I have had luck un-imprinting them, but those were 2 week old poults, and I gave them to my mama Turkey whos poults were their age, then left them alone for a week, other than food and water changes.

 

[FeatheredFriends916]

As R2elk said, they are imprinted on you.

They think you are mom, and they don’t want mom to abandon them.

Just ignore them, and don’t let them see you. It took my first one, who was a single (not ideal, but I didn’t have a choice.), 48 hours to get over me and accept living outside with my chickens. She was about 8 weeks too. I know it can be hard, I hate seeing them so unhappy, but they’ll get over it.

I have had luck un-imprinting them, but those were 2 week old poults, and I gave them to my mama Turkey whos poults were their age, then left them alone for a week, other than food and water changes.

Thank you both. When you said it took 48 hours they screamed for 48 hours? I fear my neighbors are going to complain
We had all of the animals out for quite a few hours yesterday (2 turkeys, 3 ducks, 4 chickens) turkeys were in the run for maybe half and they just paced the one side of the run near the door
How did you leave them overnight? I have brought them outside in the dark and walked around with them, yesterday evening my husband put them in the run at 830ish so it was still light outside and they just screamed again. I couldnt imagine just leaving them outside in the dark all night, I feel like they'd be terrified (I know they are animals, but can't help it). Would bringing the trough they normally sleep in help the transition?

I apologize for all of the questions, I want to do this right and not be cold about it if that makes sense.

 

[Pearlescent]

When you said it took 48 hours they screamed for 48 hours? I fear my neighbors are going to complain

They didn’t scream at night, and eventually forgot about me once they were busy doing something, but then they’d get back at it if they saw me. It took the day I put them out (noontime) then they followed my chickens to roost. They screamed a bit the next day, if they saw me, but got over it pretty fast. Then after the second night they weren’t screaming anymore. So it takes around 2 days and 2 nights.

How did you leave them overnight? I have brought them outside in the dark and walked around with them, yesterday evening my husband put them in the run at 830ish so it was still light outside and they just screamed again. I couldnt imagine just leaving them outside in the dark all night, I feel like they'd be terrified (I know they are animals, but can't help it).

Are they with the chickens? If so, they probably will follow them to roost in the evening. If they aren’t, then I’m sure they’ll find somewhere to roost on their own. They (probably) won’t just sleep on the ground where you left them.

Would bringing the trough they normally sleep in help the transition?

I doubt that would help. They don’t perch at night yet? They should be. are they Broad Breasted or Heritage?

I apologize for all of the questions, I want to do this right and not be cold about it if that makes sense.

I don’t mind the questions they won’t hate you even if they feel abandoned, mine were still snuggly after that, just didn’t scream when I left.

 

[fat brown hen]

ah haha, I had this same problem. When my poults screamed in the brooder, I would pop my head in the room and say "hi, i'm here!" then they would be quiet for some time. When I moved them out to the coop, I set up a security camera so that if they screamed, I could talk to them through the speaker and they would think I was nearby and calm down.