What would you do?

[Hounds51]

Yeah, I think you're right. I know we have laws saying that you can't release wild birds in this state (WA) due to the possible introduction of disease to wild flocks. And releasing it now would just be a death sentence (and a kinda cruel one at that). The area I live in is zoned agricultural, and it is a wooded area. I think, until I find out anything to the contrary, I have a new addition. And if that is the case, I think I would have to let it live out it's life here. I wouldn't release it once it's grown and I don't think I could harvest it either. I'm all for turkey hunting, but not one I personally know. (I'm also good with raising poultry for harvest, just not when it's a rescue. Seems kinda mean somehow).

If I were you I would do what you think is right.
If it were me I would keep him, even though my state strictly prohibits obtaining any kind of wild game without a licence.
Sometimes you need to do the right thing, which is not always the legal thing.
You can live with your decisions which makes it legal in your heart.
What they don't know wont hurt them.
Lets see what were we talking about? Oh yea the way people drive! (get my drift?) Forget about it.
Dennis

 

[Scottiemom]

In my mind, he is already a permanent part of my flock. I try not to let myself get too attached to any of the chicks until they get a little older. Well, too late with him. I think it was meant to be.

 

[Pine Hill Farms]

Well.......welcome to the world of turkeys! You're hooked!

 

[member 129538]

He's sooo cute! There's a documentary about a guy who found some wild turkey poults and raised them. It's really interesting and I thought you might enjoy it: http://video.pbs.org/video/2168110328/

Keep us updated on the little guy!

 

[Pine Hill Farms]

Saw that on PBS that guy also has a story with mule deer he became a herd member of theirs for like 7 years! Loved the turkey documentary!

 

[Scottiemom]

He's sooo cute! There's a documentary about a guy who found some wild turkey poults and raised them. It's really interesting and I thought you might enjoy it: http://video.pbs.org/video/2168110328/


Keep us updated on the little guy!

Excellent! Thank you and I will keep everyone posted. In fact, he is walking around much better now (he can stand better, too) and he is eating and drinking all by himself now.

 

[Hounds51]

He's sooo cute! There's a documentary about a guy who found some wild turkey poults and raised them. It's really interesting and I thought you might enjoy it: http://video.pbs.org/video/2168110328/


Keep us updated on the little guy!

I just saw this documentary
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now just to let you know I am a 63 year old guy, I seen more than my share of death and destruction, and it takes one heck of alot to make me cry!
Well that documentary made me cry like a baby, and I am a Tea Party Patriot!

 

[Pine Hill Farms]

You'll be a blubbering fool then if you watch "touching the wild" (same guy lives with mule deer this time though) I was a weepy mess! Oh what the love of animals does to our hearts!!!

 

[cracked egg]

Little fellow was probably a late hatcher and couldn't keep up. I have a brooder full of them from my turkeys. Seems that my birds hatch a bunch but only a handful reach adulthood. This time of year I can hear the lost poults and round them up before they succumb to the elements. The hens are good mothers but when the babies lag behind they get lost for the first couple of weeks. My birds free range and roam quite a ways with their poults.
I don't think releasing it back would be successful so enjoy it, They are one beauty of a bird when adults when their feathers change colors with the light.

 

[Lagerdogger]

Hate to be the voice of negativity, but since you asked, you probably should not have picked it up. First, I'm pretty sure it's against the law to take a wild turkey home, and second, there is a pretty good chance that the hen mother was not too far away. After all, if it was as young as you say, how far could it go. It was probably confused by traffic, and mom was probably too wary to come out just then, but unless you found a bigger pile of dead feathers, she was probably waiting for a chance to collect her stray. In general, it is not a good idea to pick up orphaned wild animals because they usually are not orphaned.

That being said, the little bugger is cute!