Univited turkey

[Finally chickens!]

A couple of months ago, when we got back from vacation, we found a female turkey hanging out with our chickens. I've been assured by a turkey hunter that she is a wild turkey. She's dark brown with gorgeous, iridescent feathers. No one around here has turkeys and there aren't supposed to be any wild turkeys in coastal Washington.

Anyway .... She has not moved on so I finally broke down and bought a bag of game bird feed for her (I do kinda like her). I put out a small handful for her everyday ... when the chickens are put up so they don't eat it .... in a dish but it seems like she hardly eats any of it. She free ranges all day as she will not be penned up. Should I be concerned that she doesn't eat much? Also will it hurt the chickens if they do eat it?

 

[sourland]

She will eat if she needs the feed. Right now she is able to forage for much of what she needs. The game bird feed will not hurt your chickens.

 

[Finally chickens!]

Thank you!

 

[R2elk]

It is best if you don't encourage her to stick around.

 

[Finally chickens!]

It is best if you don't encourage her to stick around.

Why? I don't want to starve her out. I'm not penning her at all. People feed wild birds all the time.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Probably for disease. She could introduce mites, lice, or other diseases to your chickens. Conversely, if Blackhead is an issue in your area, they could potentially give it to her. That being said, I would probably offer her feed. They are flock animals, and if she doesn't have turkey friends to hang out with, she's probably filling that need with your flock.

 

[R2elk]

Why? I don't want to starve her out. I'm not penning her at all. People feed wild birds all the time.

People do lots of things they shouldn't. Luring in wild birds and encouraging them to hang around can bring in pests and diseases that you don't want.

The worst thing is that you help remove their fear of people which makes them very vulnerable when hunting season opens.

You won't be starving her out. The majority of wild birds live their entire lives without anyone feeding them.

 

[NanaK]

I would not want the turkey to share any feed or water containers for the reasons mentioned by others.

 

[Finally chickens!]

People do lots of things they shouldn't. Luring in wild birds and encouraging them to hang around can bring in pests and diseases that you don't want.

The worst thing is that you help remove their fear of people which makes them very vulnerable when hunting season opens.

You won't be starving her out. The majority of wild birds live their entire lives without anyone feeding them.

There really isn't any turkeys or turkey hunting around here. I am in very coastal Washington state. Where she came from is a great mystery to me. She was never afraid of us.

I didn't feed her anything for a long time and she still stuck around. Shes free to leave anytime. You're making me feel bad for caring about her. :-(

 

[ColtHandorf]

It's possible that someone purchased poults and she escaped. That may be why she doesn't have any fear of you. My Eastern Wilds loved to roam, but they were big babies with me.