A turkey triumph

- The Birds -

About this time last winter, I came into possession of a bunch of turkey chicks and some pullets (immature hens). Over the course of the winter snap, and with a little help from varmints, twelve was whittled down to four; three turkeys and one hen. When I caught two of the turkeys tromping the littlest one and pecking at his legs, I sent those two off to a petting farm. The damage was already done, though, and the little turkey continued to degrade, until he was confined to the chicken pen, of his own doing, since the door is open during the day.

I tried rehabilitating him by soaking, rubbing and spraying his feet (with Bactine, it fixes everything!). I even tried carrying him to the yard, but those wing feathers are sharp as knives and no matter how kindly we are to each other, his inclination is to spread them out. Even with a towel wrapped around him, they get loose. Kind of like a person instinctively holds out the hands when losing balance.

I finally gave up, because it seemed to take a lot out of him every time I messed with him. Some days he would hardly even move out of one spot. I just kept feeding him and making sure water was close, and waiting for him to die.

Then last week he started standing up and moving around a bit. Then he started sitting in the door of the pen, soaking up the sun. Then he stood outside the door. I watched this hopefully from the kitchen window. The little hen was getting excited and pecking around, because she doesn't like to run around without the protection of the turkey. She's always trying to call him out and get him to come up to the yard so they can peck bugs and seeds and grass together.

Finally, three days ago, I looked out and he was a couple of feet from the front of the pen. Then, in an exciting rally, he hobbled his way up to the yard, with the chicken clucking, skritching and encouraging him as he made his crooked way onto the grass. I cheered out loud and ran to make sure the water was close to him, but he didn't need my help, anymore. 

He and the chicken have been making happy noises and pecking around, which makes me happy, too. It's a good lesson to me to just hang in there, and don't give up too soon.