Utah!

[RedIII]

Melisa, I'm glad you found her! It's scary when they go missing like that.

No, I have not been able to find the turkey or catch her. Sundance, I may take you up on your net and leg grabber offer. If I'd had a net yesterday while scaling roofs, I would have bagged her.

I also sent my largest turkey to freezer camp today, with the help of an awesome neighbor. This is the bird that had the hurt leg. When we got him dressed out, he had some bad bruising on one shoulder and his leg was really boogered up. I don't know what happened to him, but as I am always suspicious of people when my animals get hurt, I worry that someone in Tooele may have battered him. I feel much better knowing that he isn't hurting now. The carcass ended up being 21 pounds - not bad for a first try.

 

[melisajov]

Red, I'm so glad that your turkey isn't hurting anymore. I am super glad that I found my RIR last night. I was really worried. I hope that you can find your other turkey as well. Are turkeys fun to raise???? Don't know if I'll ever take that leap but sounds interesting. Melissa

 

[RedIII]

Turkeys are incredibly fun to raise, in my opinion. They can have a lot of personality, and they are so curious about the world. They do eat a lot, though, and they poop a lot more than chickens. However, I like seeing their different shape out there among the chickens, and I think they help to keep the hawks at bay. And, it's really fun to see them display.

This is the guy I just sent to camp this morning. The picture was taken a year and a half ago when he was two weeks old. Sooo cute.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Red-
21 pounds? Whoa that is a good size! Is he going to be the guest of honor on Thursday or are you waiting?

I hope your other gal wanders back. You would think a lost turkey would be pretty obvious and word would get around the neighborhood...have you checked to see if anyone found her and called animal control? Maybe they have her.

 

[PancakeShiners]

Sundance, I'll contact you when I can... Tomorrow I think, really tired today.

Now, just for those other two. lD Bleh.

 

[Sphinx]

Red, I'm glad you spotted your turkey, anyway. I was just sure that someone had stolen her for Thanksgiving. But, it sounds like she's still wandering. Congrats on dressing out your turkey!

 

[the-bird-man]

red it sounds like she had thanksgiving on her mind and decided to run away even tho it sounds like she is a long term pet. silly bird. hope you get her. i would look for her when she is roosting tho that may be hard

 

[RedIII]

Lisa, I'm giving him to my bf. My mom refuses to "eat friends", so with luck, my bf and I will be able to enjoy him for Christmas.

Brad, lol!

And yes, she's quite the sly bird. Believe me, the whole neighborhood is getting to know who I am :l I'm going to try and bag her tonight, as we found her again. You wouldn't believe how excited people get about seeing a turkey on a roof.

 

[melisajov]

So, I have a question! I don't usually let my chickens free range while I am gone. They have some room around their coop to eat bugs and dig but they love to be in the yard. I hate to leave them locked up while I'm at work because of these nice days we will be having this week. Do you guys let them free range in the yard when you are gone? Let me know you suggestions?

 

[RedIII]

Melisa, I only like mine to free range when there's someone home that can babysit the chickens, only because I don't trust predators. We have dogs running around, a hawk, and some creepy people around here. I actually caught a group of teens chasing and harassing one of my hens this year and had to confront them to keep her safe

I think I probably make the dangers sound worse than they are, but it's my preference to keep my birds penned because I'm a paranoid nut.

Had two more goes and the turkey yesterday. I just don't have the time to go after her, since I'm working in the afternoon and that's the prime time to find and catch her. And, I need about ten more of myself to be able to do anything effective. I'm feeling really discouraged because I think Animal Control may be the only way to catch her, but there's a good chance that if they find out about my birds, they'll take them all away and I'll be fined. I'm just tired of this.