Pesky Poultry

[echo]

It was really cool in November when we saw these 3 big wild turkeys coming to the backyard bird feeder. Everytime we opened the slider or the kids were too loud the birds took off into the woods. I was never able to get a good shot (picture that is).

That has all changed....Last week Tom (as my son named him) trapped my mother in her car for 15 minutes. Nothing she did would get it to leave. Last Wed, it was commical as the turkey stopped every car that came down the street, mine included.

The only issues we had is that after the mother incident my son (5) was scared, so scared in fact he had an unfortunate accident in his pants.

All in all things have been pretty funny. I contacted different turkey web sites to see how we can live peacfully with the birds. The site mentioned any intentional feeding of these bird is a no no. My neighbors had actually allowed them to eat off of their picnic table and when we had the large snow storms, they made a walk way for them.

Yesterday while out in my fenced play area with the kids, my next door neighbor was chased into my yard and into the fenced area by the bird.

Being the brave woman that I am I grabbed a big blue swimming noodle and approached the 4ft fence. When I got there the head popped up over the fence, he puffed up all his feathers and charged at it. So much for intimidating the bird. We then,after a lot of effort, untangled the hose and tried to squirt it. He didn't seem to mind the shower. I have to buy one of those shoot the water things. He then got more angry and gobbled (if that is what you call it) and pecked at the fence. All the while the neighbor and I were praying it would not fly up and over. We had 3 kids with us all under 8. We finally called the neighbors daughter and she brought out their dog. The turkey ran off into the woods. Ha take that pansy!

About 15 minutes later I was taking out the trash and saw "the live in" parked in the driveway, but he was not getting out of the car. It was then I saw that damn bird, pecking at the tires. I went to the side door with a broom to wave at the bird. This is another tactic I was told to try. The bird began coming towards me. I ran into the house. We tried banging pots and pans,water, ice,yelling,running towards, and kicking the air. Yes me and my two teenage cousins looked absolutley ridiculous! Neighbors drove by stopping, laughing, and taking pictures. The thing would not leave.

I finally went to the front door and made noise he ran to me. The "live in" then had the chance to run in the side door. Little did I know that the turkey could climb steps and started tapping on the class with his beak. I began to kick the bottom aluminum, or whatever it is, panel and he still did not leave. I then tried to open the door to tap his face and scare him. he still did not care.

We determined that the more noise we made the more attention he gave us. So we all sat quietly. He moved into a wodded area between my driveway and the other neighbors driveway and paced. Which again annoyed me becasue we were supposed to go somewhere. He would occasionally puff up his feathers and gobble loudly. Still he would not leave. After another 15 minutes the neighbor pulled up and got out of the car to get his mail. He was chased back into the car then the bird chased his truck all the way down his long driveway. The bird then made his way back up closer to my house. After another 5 minutes I saw this huge bird fly up into a tree. This was an amazing sight to see. I heard they could fly but never saw it. I think it was that point that I realized how dangerous this bird could become. I also got extrememly angry because the bird is obviously toying with us!

Once I was sure he was gone.We were able to run the kids out to the car and go pick up their new baby rabbit.

While we were out, we tried to find a store that carried coyote urine. I had heard this might keep them away. Do you know how hard it is to find that?!? I may as well chase one around with a pail!

I called animal control this morning. My son is now terrified and will not go outside They don't handle wild life. They did give me the number of a man who will came and trap it for a minimum of $100.00. I have yet to call to see if that is per day or a one time fee.

I have a few pictures but do not know how to post them properly. Beside the blue head Tom is a really beautiful bird and I know he is just protecting his ladies, but I want nothing more than to punch him in the face!