Remove Hazards from the Ranging Area

Walk the entire ranging area and identify hazards before releasing turkeys. Remove or fence off poisonous plants (yew, nightshade, foxglove, azalea), old fencing with loose wire that can entangle legs, deep water features, and any access points to roads. Turkeys are curious and will investigate everything in their range.

Why It Works

Turkeys peck and sample nearly everything they encounter while foraging. Unlike chickens, turkeys are more likely to wander far from the coop and explore unfamiliar areas. Proactive hazard removal prevents drowning, poisoning, and entanglement injuries that are otherwise common in unmanaged ranging areas.

Tips

• Yew is extremely toxic to poultry -- even small amounts of foliage can be fatal within hours
• Cover or fence off ponds, pools, and stock tanks since young turkeys are poor swimmers and drown easily
• Re-survey the area seasonally as new hazards such as fallen branches, erosion, and plant growth appear throughout the year