Yesterday the turkeys seemed to decide to go for a little outing. I found a pair in one neighbor's yard, and another pair in another neighbors yard. Between the 3 yards, or pastures, there is a single corner post with a top 4x4 wooden brace. I am pretty sure what happens is they decided to roost on the brace overnight and when morning came, left in 3 different directions. Unfortunately turkeys don't seem to understand fencing so once they get on the wrong side, they stay there walking back and forth all day.
This did give me a great opportunity to meet a neighbor with a bordering fence line that we have not met since we moved here 3 years ago. How did it get to be so long!?!? They are a really nice retired couple that didn't mind at all me coming over to herd the turkeys back. In fact they, after a call to explain the need, I drove up to find them out back keeping the turkeys "cornered" until I arrived. It turns out that in his younger days, he actually raised some turkeys too!
Overall it was a pleasant experience, but nonetheless its time to alter the turkey confinement system. For now we will keep them locked in the big portable turkey pen as I modify the fence lines with electric and build some sort of suitable roost they will prefer.
As a side not... these guys are getting BIG! dropping them over the fence they seemed to weight a good 8 to 10 pounds. The biggest toms can almost look into the bed of the gator while standing on the ground!
Follow along our adventure as we make the transition from corporate city life to the world of natural farming. Each day brings a new experience and brings us to a deeper understanding about the life and spirit that made America great. At our farm we do our best to give the animals we raise a natural, free, happy, stressfree lifestyle. Our mission is to learn and share how to manage a farming operation that is both profitable and humane.
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