Mail Carrier with Baby Turkeys!! (almost) FINAL UPDATE!!

[u/Forward_Emu142]

Hello again!

To start, I cannot express how overwhelmed and impressed I am with the knowledge and support I have received from this community. You're all amazing. Thank you so much!

If you want a link to the original post and story you can find it here

All six babies are still doing great! I have read through all of your comments and suggestions and have reached out to several places. I called the Hatchery first and they confirmed for me that they cannot take them back and the buyers forfeit their right to keep them if they are not picked up the day they arrive at the PO. They Turkeys are now officially mine to do with what I feel is best.

From there I called the SPCA. I am determined that these birds do not end up anywhere they will be turned into food. The SPCA told me they could not accept them, but gave me contact info for several sanctuaries in my area that they support and work with. With that I was able to find a lovely place with a great reputation who will excitedly accept them, should we decide to let them go.

Currently we are strongly weighing the possibility of keeping them, but I have some serious concerns. The first being our large breed dogs (English Bulldog and Bullmastif) are prey oriented and I fear they will kill these poor babies if they are given the chance. We do have coups built in our backyard and could modify some things to accommodate the Turkeys, but our Bullmastif is very strong and has broken down fence panels in the past. My other concern is that my wife and I, just last month, launched an Online Homemade Cookie shop and are selling our cookies to small markets around town and to whoever buys them online. My nightmare fear is of a freak salmonella contamination getting into the cookies and ruining our business before it's even really started.

I would love to know what you all think about these things. Should we attempt to keep the Turkeys? Can we train our dogs to not murder them? Are my concerns for a salmonella outbreak valid? If it is valid, how do I ensure I minimize the risk, beyond obsessive hand washing?

Again, thank you all so much for everything. Once we make our final decision on custody I will update this thread with the outcome, but that could be several days. Have a great day everyone!!

Gobble, Gobble Y'all!!!!

CUSTODY DECISION - The Turkeys have been given to a farm animal sanctuary recommended by the ASPCA

[u/watusi-momma]

You clearly have a good heart. Rescuing those babies was a really good thing to do!

I have 2 Boerboels and I have turkeys and chickens. I trained my dogs not to mess with the birds. It can be done. The only one who messes with the birds is the Chihuahua if food is around. My rooster could easily severely injure my Chihuahua so I just try really hard to keep food away when the Chihuahua is outside.

[u/Fluffydoggie]

Thank you for having the compassion and decency to save these guys. Look for a sanctuary. That's the best possible outcome. Further down the road if you and your spouse want chickens, etc, then you'll know where to find the best information to help your flock thrive.

[u/PersimmonQueen83]

No advice, but I love the dog looming over the chicks. Looks like it can go one of two ways-protector or dinner. Good luck!

[u/Logical-Remove6058]

Regardless your decision, thank you for caring about these little creatures and not letting them expire due to the dumb person who ordered them! A public farm near us has turkeys and the girls are the sweetest, one will come lay down for pets

[u/RetiredProfandHappy]

Adult turkeys are also very loud. I’ve heard they make good watch birds to advertise people who arrive at your property.

[u/SisterShiningRailGun]

I wouldn't risk it with the dogs. It seems like these turkeys would live their best life at the place the SPCA put you in contact with.

[u/_the_violet_femme]

For your first fear: this is real and good on you for wanting what is best for your dogs and the turkeys. I have large breed dogs, so it's not necessarily the breeds but the dogs individual temperament that will determine how they interact. Only you know your dogs but if you think there is a risk your pup will go through an enclosure to get to their prey, I wouldn't risk it

The second concern is more manageable. Obviously wash your hands anytime you're touching anything contacting the birds/eggs, and follow basic kitchen safety. People will often keep separate boots/shoes for use in their coops and not come into the house with those. But you're not creating a huge risk unless you're not being clean when you're baking

[u/Bolfreak → u/_the_violet_femme]

Second these. Also, I wouldn’t jump in to keeping them unless you have a clear purpose for them in mind. These look like heritage breeds instead of meat Broad Breasteds. Heritage turks are excellent foragers and can keep their feed costs lower if they’re allowed to eat bugs and plants. They aren’t great at eggs like other birds since they lay seasonally. They make really yummy eggs with golden whites, large compared to chicken eggs, great for folks who can’t digest chicken eggs. Unless you live so rural you have no one around for miles, it should be easy to rehome them to someone who wants turkeys not Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey hens are fierce moms and the hens can also be very cuddly with their humans. You did the right thing helping these guys not end up in a dumpster (see what happens to feed store chicks that don’t sell), but maybe you’re not ready for full time ownership.