We are entering the Teen Phase

Teenage Turkeys and Rooftop Antics

Teenage turkeys are no joke. One day they’re soft little poults in a brooder, and the next they’re strutting around the yard like they’ve got rent to collect. At this point, they’re about the size of Frizzle, our little silkie rooster, but don’t tell them that,they think they’re ten feet tall. They dominate the yard, push the chickens around, and still, somehow, want their cuddle time at the end of the day.

Now here’s the part where I have to say it out loud: Andre was right. (I can already hear him laughing as he reads this.) I swore up and down these turkeys weren’t really going to take off. Sure, they flapped, but I figured it was all for show. Well, guess what? They can fly. And not just a little hop either, full-on liftoff.

It started with them roosting on the gate, which I could live with. Cute, kind of funny, and honestly, they looked proud up there. But tonight, my son suddenly yells, “MOM! There’s a turkey on the roof!” I thought he was messing with me… until I walked outside with the flashlight. And there it was. A turkey, perched like some sort of feathered gargoyle, king of the ranch.

So, what did that mean for me? Wing clipping. After dark. With my good sewing scissors. Because ranching is a 24/7 job, no downtime, no clocking out, no “I’ll deal with it tomorrow.” If the turkeys decide the roof is their new hangout spot, you deal with it now.

So tonight’s evening chores included flashlight in one hand, turkey in the other, and scissors snipping away. Not exactly glamorous, but it keeps our little “teenagers” grounded, literally. They may be growing up fast, but at least now their antics will stay closer to earth.

And yes, Andre. You were right.