Wild turkey question

[bluetick]

A flock of wild turkeys spent some time yesterday just beyond a 5' fence that keeps my chickens, ducks and geese from roaming. The fence is, of course, not an obstacle for the turkeys. The turkeys are back today. What is the liklihood that they might harm my birds if they decide to come into my yard area?

I enjoy seeing them, but wonder if I should chase them away. What to do, if anything?

[westlakej]

I dont think they will harm the chickens, they will probly bring in a disease if anything or mites. I would try to keep them away from the chickens though.

[bluetick]

Thanks! Mites and disease were things I thought about too. I feed and water my birds in outdoor "feeding stations" unless the weather is extreme. It would seem my birds would duck into the barn if the turkeys hit the food pan and they felt threatened. It doesn't seem likely the wild turkeys would venture into the barn.

I'll keep an eye on things whenever I see them around.

[Evy]

Chances are, they're healthier than most domestics & everything can carry mites & your birds probably already have them. About the only harm they'd do is to your feed supply. They're interesting, intelligent birds. Enjoy them.

[Neil E. Grassbaugh]

I agree with Evy. Especially about how enjoyable they are.

The turkeys are in far more danger from you rchickens and waterfowl than the other way around. The most likely thing is that the turkeys could contract mycoplasma gallisepticum from your chickens as they almost certainly are infected with it.

Waterfowl can also be reservoirs of low pathogenic avian influenza. But that is like looking for zebras whan yhou hear hoofbeats.

Unless the turkeys go to roost with the chickens or get real cozy with them otherwise the transmission of external parasites is remote.

A question I have is how have all these wild birds, as the great vectors of lice and mites, survived all these years infestedd with bugs. I have only been in contact with wild turkeys twice when externals could be observed. I never saw any. I have had lots of contact with wild phesants and quail and I have never seen any on them either.

How do sparrows and starlings survive with these allegeded mass infestations of parasites?

I remember "Clint" from the Waterfowl Forum. He was a bonified wildlife biologist that specialized in waterfowl. Wonder if h he has any informationon this.

Your domestics will not be able to pysically harm the wild turkeys. It is also doubful that the turkeys will harm your birds. Turkeys are inqusitive and spookie .They will get close but watch how quickly they can get away from any threat. The agressiveness of domestic turkeys is not a charachteristic of their wild ancestors.

[bluetick]

Thanks everyone! Looks like there is really nothing to worry about. It was quite a treat to watch the big birds as they scavenged for food on the ground/snow and in trees. I think they found some frozen wild grapes on the vines that go to some treetops. Seeing those birds teetering in the trees was amazing when they don't look like they could even get off the ground.

[cchoate]

I had a big wild Tom start hanging around my yard this past fall. He was after food and I didn't deter him, I love to watch wild turkeys. He eventually stayed full time and is a welcome member of my free range birds but I would never pen him. He does get along with everything but I keep him away from my Calls because he doesn't watch where he walks. Hope he calls in a hen this spring!