Do you need to trim turkey wings? Mine (2) are about a month old, they can fly up pretty high, about 2 feet. Will they be too heavy to make it over a 3 foot fence when they get older? Also, if I put an enclosure in the pen are they smart enough to use it or do I need to lock them up at night, or bad weather? My yard is fenced and I have a dog that watches over the free roaming chickens, havn't had any predator problems. Thanks in advance. Tina

-- tina shrout (clia88@newmexico.com), June 25, 2000

Answers

I think it depends on the breed of turkey whether or not they will fly out of the pen. My Lilacs and Silver Auburns got too heavy to fly more than a few inches above the ground. The Lilac Tom used to roost about 3 feet off the ground, but now he can't make it that high. He roosts on the ground. I believe that Royal Palms are much better flyers though, and of course, wild turkeys are excellent flyers. My turkeys roost outside regardless of the weather. They would, however, do better if they were shut up in winter I think. I just didn't have anywhere to shut them in.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), June 25, 2000.

I'm not sure what breed my turkeys are, I didn't pay attention, I went to the feed store for chicken food and saw them and had to have them. They are black, brown and silver. The feed store guy said they would look like wild turkeys when grown. Thats all I know. Thanks.

-- tina shrout (clia88@newmexico.com), June 25, 2000.

Hi, Tina. Yours are probably bronze breasted turkeys. They look like the traditional thanksgiving turkey. Sometimes they are called Broad Breasted Bronze. My bronze last year could fly over a gate, but were frankly too stupid to remember how to do it. I had to go gather them up in a rainstorm once, as about eight of them were huddled in high grass freezing to death. Generally, they went into the barn on their own at dusk, and ranged all over during the day.

I haven't trimmed feathers on any turkeys. This year I have white, and they seem to fly less.

-- Rachel (rldk@hotmail.com), June 25, 2000.

Turkeys, like chickens, like to roost. If you have them "penned" with a fence less than 6 to 8' high, you had better clip the wings. Clip only 1 wing, and just cut back the primary feathers. They'll still be able to roost on the roost you have provided a couple of feet off the floor, but won't escape. Actually, they don't escape, just get "outside" and don't remember how they got there. We're not talking mental giants here, but if sheep could fly, they would hand's down be the worst possible animal to raise! GL!

-- Brad (Homefixer@SacoRiver.net), June 30, 2000.

mine is not an answer, its actually a question, does anyone know where to purchase Norfolk blacks or Spanish blacks ? I know they are a relatively rare breed, but there must be someone out there with a black turkey and a pc ?? thank you all for you help. Evy please email me. thanks

-- Evelyn Bagnasco (niglio@tin.it), August 19, 2001.