Poults! Poults! Poults!

[tgturkeytaker]

It's a long time until September 1, so I went out today in some bug spray and camo for a long walk on one of my farms that I have access on to see if there were turkey birds about. I saw plenty of turkey activity. Two gobblers were out chasing bugs in a short dry soybean field and then several hens doing the same in a pasture. My main reason to get out today, besides exercise, was to look for poults. I am proud to say I found lots of poults. Over the course of 2 1/2 hours, I found 5 different hens with young. Just before leaving, I found 3 hens together with over twenty poults scratching in some old hay in the shade along a creek. I was able to watch them for some time.

I had been wondered about the effects of the low water on the little ones, but at least the ones I saw today seemed to be doing great. One clutch was markedly smaller than the others, but the largest I saw today was about 10" tall. Is anyone else seeing any?

Next time I go I am taking a camera.
One of the gobblers today was obviously a longbeard!

[maxcam]

Just curious but when did you notice peak breeding activity down your way TG?

[tgturkeytaker]

I know of birds still strutting and gobbling for at least two weeks after the close of this spring season. I found a nest with 8 eggs, the weekend after season.
I do not know if the hen was finished, as I did not stay around long upon my discovery.

[turk2di]

Thats great! The weathers been close to perfect for a great hatch.

[Snareman2]

What a weird year. I have a momma hen and six poults, bugging my field about everyday. This morning, I had a gobblers, sound off three times up in the woods. I never saw the gobbler, but what would make him gobble this time of year? A friend of mine said he saw one strutting yesterday, go figure.

[rarebreed]

I always see hens this time of year but rarely see poults with them, are they always with the hen or do they hide them, I usually don't see poults until they are about 1/3 grown

[kycooner]

seen 2 hens with poults,in marion county today,they were 200 yards away so couldn't get a count,but there was several in the cluck

[kyfanatic]

I've got a couple hens with 22 young'uns between them catching bugs daily around my place.
Wonder how many will survive?