Update on the wild turkeys.

[Kaleva]

Almost a month ago, 15 wild turkeys showed up and have been hanging around ever since. Probably because I feed them 2-3 times a day.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/12082459

In Upper Michigan, it's legal to feed wild turkeys as long as the feeding area is on one's own property and the area is within a 100 yards of the residence. So I packed down the snow in an rectangular shaped area on part of the garden with a piece of OSB board. I laid the board down on the snow, stood on it and jumped up and down. Then moved the board over and repeated the process. The birds hang out, when not eating, in a wooden area up the hill east of the yard. Using the board again and by walking back and forth, I made a trail from the feeding area to where they roost.

I first got a 50 lb. bag of mixed bird food and it was just under $16.00. Thinking that feeding the turkey close to 6 lbs. a day could get expensive, I did some research on line and read that the birds like most any grain including oats. I called the local feed store and asked how much for a 50 lb. bag of oats were and was told it was $7 and change (plus tax). Half the cost. Tomorrow, I'm going to call the feed mill again and ask what a 50 lb. bag of cracked corn goes for. I know a 50 lb. bag of dried whole corn costs a little over $6.00 but turkeys need cracked corn.

Another thing I learned about turkeys is that in winter, the females will flock together, the young males (jakes) will form their own flock and the adult males (Toms or gobblers) will be in their own. The wild turkeys I have appear to be hens.

[LakeArenal]

1. Corn at my feed mill is $7.

They eat whole corn. If you have Apple or carrot peels they like that.

Turkeys do flock up. You might be the lucky ones for them to winter over. We have three groups in the summer. They go each winter.

[Kaleva]

4. Well, if they eat the whole corn, I'll try that.

The corn won't go to waste if the turkeys don't eat it as I have a couple of deer that come into the yard at night which I feed cabbage.

[Cryptoad]

8. Ill 10-4 that,,,,,,

they like chickens will eat almost any thing!

[UpInArms]

2. Corn at my local feed is $4.50 for 50 lbs

That’s cracked ... I feed it to the chickens

[Kaleva]

6. That's cheap!

[CrispyQ]

3. My favorite hiking trail is known for wild turkeys.

They are fab!

You now know how to make a crop circle!

[mahannah]

5. Good for you!

[pansypoo53219]

7. my grandpa accidently got cracked corn instead of black oil sunflower seeds.

our bird/chippie seeds and we got a moth infestation, we were at little months for months.

[jpak]

9. I had 14 of the walk through my back yard yesterday.

The poor things looked cold.

[WestMichRad]

10. Love your user name!

We used to enjoy visiting the Kaleva Cafe, back in the days when we lived in the Houghton-Hancock area. Just the thought brings back fond memories!

Sounds silly packing down the snow for them, but then I thought of the depths that snow can reach in parts of the UP, and it makes perfect sense.

[Kaleva]

12. Last time I ate there was early 2006. Had a BLT and a pop.

Snow gets deep here as you know so that's why I packed down the trail and feeding area. Makes it easier for the birds.

[dem in texas]

11. Turkkeys at the court house

About 20 years ago, I had to go out to Sutton County, Texas. In Sorona, the county seat, I saw a flock of turkeys on the courthouse lawn. Locals told me they were regulars, sure someone fed them.