Turkeys

[miangus]

I am located in mid-Michigan, and we have quite a few here. Last winter there was 50-60 in my front yard. Some of the braver ones were on my deck looking in the window. I usually run a couple of nesting hens through the haybine. I believe the turkey population may be why there are longer any pheasants', turkeys eat everything they find including I expect pheasant eggs and even chicks.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

Hah, that's what I thought when I read the OP. I'm in the Thumb.

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Sigh. Years ago, before my sickle bar became yard art, took the legs off a mom guarding her nest. Feel bad about it to this day. I suspect the brush hog is safer for mom since it's not offset to the side.

I had the same experience about 20 years ago and the hen flew off. Can't imagine she survived long with out legs.

 

[Non-farmer]

I had the same experience about 20 years ago and the hen flew off. Can't imagine she survived long with out legs.

Yep, same as here. Sad.

 

[Dusty MI]

A couple weeks ago 5 very tall birds, maybe 48 inches at the top of their back, much taller at the top of their heads, walked onto our back yard.

 

[Russ from MN]

They are almost to the Canadian border in MN; one got hit on the highway near International Falls a couple of years ago. We see them quite often when riding motorcycle on the county roads neat Bemidji.

 

[Russ from MN]

A couple weeks ago 5 very tall birds, maybe 48 inches at the top of their back, much taller at the top of their heads, walked onto our back yard.

Maybe Sandhill Cranes? We have them at the Canadian border too.

 

[rrlund]

A couple weeks ago 5 very tall birds, maybe 48 inches at the top of their back, much taller at the top of their heads, walked onto our back yard.

Yep, sandhill cranes. They were a HUGE problem here for a little while. We had to treat the seed corn with a laxative to keep them from cleaning off five acres or ore of newly planted corn. They've backed off a little, but there's still one pair that nests here every year. They come up and get in the bunker silo and walk right up the driveway. I had a permit for a while to kill ten a year, but that didn't do a bit of good. It seemed like if the boys shot one, two would show up to take its place.

 

[lodoc]

Recall Michigan DNR recently sending something out requesting reporting turkey hens seen w chicks. They're trying to monitor the recovery and requesting assistance from viewing public.

 

[rrlund]

Recall Michigan DNR recently sending something out requesting reporting turkey hens seen w chicks. They're trying to monitor the recovery and requesting assistance from viewing public.

The pair here usually hatch out two, end up with one by the time they can fly. Saw one little one dead in the road one time.

 

[lodoc]

Yep, sandhill cranes. They were a HUGE problem here for a little while. We had to treat the seed corn with a laxative to keep them from cleaning off five acres or ore of newly planted corn. They've backed off a little, but there's still one pair that nests here every year. They come up and get in the bunker silo and walk right up the driveway. I had a permit for a while to kill ten a year, but that didn't do a bit of good. It seemed like if the boys shot one, two would show up to take its place.

We're in SE Mich near Lake St. Clair. Occasionally see Sandhill Cranes. Seem migratory. Since I've been on this acreage 40+ years and only seen 4-5x consider rather rare and a treat to see occasionally. Sorry you're having issues with them being destructive.

 

[Mrfred54]

Turkeys are as much a nuisance as deer around here. There are ways to even the playing field

 

[lodoc]

Curious to what nuisance issues they cause and where you are? Are they destructive to crops/gardens? We have deer issues but turkeys are generally 'passing through' and sandhill cranes are rare

 

[Pitalplace]

My father-in-law had 1 to 2" of turkey s-(dung) on his lawn. Must of been about a 100 that hung around the farm.

 

[lodoc]

My father-in-law had 1 to 2" of turkey s-(dung) on his lawn. Must of been about a 100 that hung around the farm.

Canada geese seem to be the biggest nuisance here with with all their droppings - parks, beaches, marinas, golf courses. Any place w water. Have gone from almost extinct to overpopulation in many areas. There is a hunting season but many don't find them appetizing

 

[Mrfred54]

Turkeys dig up beans after we plant and they also will take corn off the stalk so the young ones can also eat and leave 3/4 of the ear lay then go get another

 

[rossow (mn)]

Saw 5 large birds out here this morning. I've never seen wild turkeys before, and they did not look like what I wood wild turkeys wood, but from the size of them I do not know what else the would have been, here in Southern Michigan.
Anyone have a picture of wild turkeys?
Dusty

I hope you keep seeing them. I've had wild turkeys for several years on my wooded acreage in south-central Minnesota, flocks sometimes up to two dozen under my bird feeders. They usually show up in late June or early July. Sometimes they get pretty tame and learn to come running when I rattle a can and toss corn into the air. This year I worriedly watched and waited until late July, when a mama finally showed up with 11 half-grown poults. I now see them every two or three days under the feeders. They're experts at cleaning up the millet and other seeds the other birds shovel aside. It's amazing how soon the young ones can fly. All very fun to watch in the open taking dust baths or hiding in the tall weeds that I've quit mowing. I love to watch the toms (gobblers) displaying in early spring, often in gangs of three or more. They look like picture postcards. Best wishes with your new visitors.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

I had the same experience about 20 years ago and the hen flew off. Can't imagine she survived long with out legs.

When I was a kid,,,, 10,, 11 years old, first hay cutting always shortened up a few bunnys. It made me sad then. Thinking back it still does. gm

 

[Brian G. NY]

A couple weeks ago 5 very tall birds, maybe 48 inches at the top of their back, much taller at the top of their heads, walked onto our back yard.

Wow! Those are BIG BIG turkeys!!