Turkeys at home 1

Well, the wild turkeys who would flee months ago as soon as we opened a door have now made themselves entirely at home here. They wander around the farm at will, up the drive, past the dog yards, through the gardens, under the apple trees. The dogs don't even pay any attention to them any longer. Alayne took that photo of some turkeys on the other side of the fence in the front yard. Dogs were in the yard and up on the porch, but no one cared:

Turkeys at home 2

One evening after dinner we were sitting on the back deck and enjoying some quiet time when the resident flock of turkeys started flying up into the trees to roost for the night:

Turkeys roosting

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

This was the big aspen tree just below the house. Other turkeys had taken to the trees in the woods behind it, and we could hear them rustling around as they worked their way higher and higher into the trees, fluttering from limb to limb. That's what the ones in the aspen did, too — they flew up to the lower branches and then hopped from limb to limb to get farther up the tree.

We've come out the back door first thing in the morning and have found the flock hanging out on the driveway, looking for the odd bug or insect. They no longer startle, but slowly move away and up onto the pastures:

Turkeys at home 3

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12 responses to “Turkey Farm”

  1. Leila K. - Western Wash. Avatar
    Leila K. – Western Wash.

    How fascinating! They must feel really safe there.

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  2. Janet in Cambridge Avatar
    Janet in Cambridge

    Ah, the sign that you’ve finally “arrived!” Congrats!
    Great neighbors, great distant early warning system (http://www.porticus.org/bell/dewline.html).
    Yes, turkeys can fly. Not their best feature, but doable.

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  3. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    Those turkeys know a good place when they’ve got it! 🙂

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  4. Shirley * James/Portland, OR Avatar

    Isn’t it interesting when they feel safe—it is pretty darn amazing. Hopefully they don’t multiply and take over. Reminds me of Trooper and the chickens.

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  5. Barb Ribinski Avatar
    Barb Ribinski

    That’s so nice they now feel at home. I didn’t realize they slept in the trees at night. I had a guinea hen who came to live in my yard and become one of the crew and she slept in the tree at night, too. I’m sure they must help with the insect population or have another job they perform in exchange for living at RDF. Very lucky birds indeed.

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  6. Mary H./Washington state Avatar
    Mary H./Washington state

    Glad to hear the neighbors are finally warming up to the “new people” on the block! Does anyone else think turkeys look odd sitting in trees?

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  7. Tonya Allen Avatar
    Tonya Allen

    They know a great place to hang out when they see it! Loved the latest newsletter. Great photos and wonderful stories.

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  8. Mae - Jefferson City Avatar
    Mae – Jefferson City

    I can just imagine our furry friends saying”Pst,Pst I just wanted to tell you this is a fabulous place to live and our people take such wonderful care of us come on over” Thanks for sharing the whole spectrum with us!!

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  9. Amber Lipari Avatar
    Amber Lipari

    I’m jealous – I’ve been rather fascinated with wild turkeys since watching the PBS special “My Life as a Turkey”; you should check it out 🙂

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  10. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    Turkey see, Turkey do! Awesome!

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  11. Debbie Burke Avatar
    Debbie Burke

    Reminds me of an old guy with acreage east of Kalispell next to the mountains. He had barn cats and a Newfoundland watchdog (to warn about marauding bears) who couldn’t care less about the dozens of wild turkeys that settled on his property. The dear old man carried dog kibble in the pockets of his coveralls and the turkeys would follow him around begging, plucking the kibble right out of his hand. Shy? Hardly!

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  12. Lisa Brown Avatar
    Lisa Brown

    Peaceable Kingdom 🙂

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