About 5 months ago, I shared a story from my neighbourhood related to a female turkey hen who had layed a clutch of 12 eggs in the Spring. I closely followed this process because I had never witnessed a wild turkey laying eggs or raising her poults before. (Poults are what baby turkey chicks are called.)
Of The 12 Eggs Layed, 10 Fully Incubated And Hatched
They were so sweet and small.
Wild turkeys are exceptionally smart birds. They have a keen sense of sight and hearing. As a result not much gets by them and you pretty much have to sneak up on them to photography them. On this day, I used my car (as cover) but you can see that the hen knows that I am there. She was nervously watching me as I observed her and her family. She is looking directly at me and exhibiting caution.
Over the next 2 months, the young jakes (male turkeys) and the young jennys (female turkeys) grew.
The mother hen has been working very hard to raise this flock. You can see that she is still teaching them valuable survival skills like how to forage and stick together as a cohesive group.
I Continued To Observe The Flock Month After Month
Last week I had another opportunity to photography the flock again. It was about 10:30 in the morning and I just happened to be home, so I grabbed my camera and took a few quick snapshots.
The birds are all full-size now and all 10 of the original poults had survived. This, (I have learned today) is unusual.
A 10% survival rate is normal
In about 2 weeks time, they will be 5 months old and this is generally when the flock will separate. The jakes will join a flock with other Toms (older male turkey) and the jenny's will join a female flock along with their mother. In both cases, a pecking order within each flock will be established.
It is true, I have developed a soft spot for this flock over the last 5 months. It was hard not to.
They have been regular visitors to our property and I feel like I have been part of their growth and development.
Here they are, almost knocking on my neighbour's door. They are gorgeous birds and are exceptionally healthy.
Moments after I took this photo, I went back into my own house and that's when it happened.
Most Of The Flock Crossed The Road, Except For One Straggler.
When she realized that she had been separated from the group, instinct took over and she made every effort to re-join her flock.
She flew right into an oncoming work van and broke her neck.
The people driving the van could do nothing...but they did stop and at least they took her for their table.
With great sadness, I cleaned up my front yard and the road so that no one would have to look at the carnage.
I saved her best feathers and currently have them drying in my basement. I will be giving them to my Mohawk and Anishinaabe friends because turkey feathers are considered sacred. They represent pride, abundance and fertility.
My wish in all of this, is that every part of the bird that can be, is put to the best use.
A gentle word of advice to anyone who drives in wild turkey country: if you see a turkey on the side of the road that's become separated from a larger flock on the other side, expect that turkey to try to reach the safety of the flock.
This Is Often "Why" Turkeys Cross The Road
They instinctively want to join the safety of their flock.
Turkeys can run as fast as 40 kph (or 25 mph) and they can fly up to 88 kph (or 55 mph) for short distances.
Please take your time and proceed with caution.
I welcome your comments and I invite you to follow me on my journey...we will be respecting nature as we go.
~ Rebecca Ryan