How do I Raise Wild Turkeys in East Texas?

Wild turkeys need plenty of room to roam.

Wild turkeys are raised very differently from domestic turkeys. They are slimmer, can run faster and eat very different food. Wild turkeys live on a diet of small rodents and whatever they find in the wild, so feeding them the typical poultry or turkey feed will not keep them healthy. The most important factor to happy wild turkeys in East Texas is a large plot of land. Wild turkeys do not need housing, heat lamps or commercial food. They need a place to roam and eat as they like.

Things You'll Need

• A large plot of fenced-in land

Instructions

1. Purchase or track wild turkeys in East Texas. The wild turkey's natural habitat is in wooded areas of East Texas. Wild turkeys are sometimes hunted in those areas and can be captured as well. You can also purchase eggs or chicks to let loose on your land. Mail order and game magazines have purchasing resources and hatcheries such as McMurray and Stomberg offer turkey eggs and chicks for sale via their websites (see Resources).

2. Fence in your land. Ensure the fencing spans the entire property. Turkeys are curious animals and will get through torn fencing.

3. Check turkey health and growth. Captive wild turkeys can suffer from malnutrition and fail to reproduce. It is very important to periodically check their progress. If you are concerned about your wild turkeys' health, a veterinarian can also check on their progress.

References

• "American wildlife"; Various Authors; 1912
• "Farmer's Cyclopedia of Agriculture"; Earley Vernon Wilcox and Clarence Beaman Smith; 1904
• Wild turkeys: Hunting and Watching; John J. Mettler; 1998
• American Outdoors: Shooting & Hunting: Stalking Turkey

Resources

• Strombergs Chickens: Turkeys
• McMurray Hatchery