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Pests & Diseases - Australia

Scrub Turkeys

24 years ago

Hello,

I have been having a very big problem with scrub turkeys at the moment. They are the most problematic pests in my gardens. They seem to scratch up all my newly planted seedling and trees and also they get into my propagtion area and knock over everything in sight and eat and scratch out all my emerging seeds. I was wondering if anyone had a control method which is quite rapid because there is an ever increasing number. I'm counting up to 6 now. ie. fencing doesn't seem to work because of the large area involved and they fly straight over..

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Comments (5)

moreton
24 years ago
Hi Brendan, you could build a cage/pen with a roof over the top and if you can't keep them out of it, lock them inside and breed them for the game trade or get a border collie so he can get some herding practice. Good luck.Peter R
sterculias
24 years ago
Unfortunately the are a protected species and the powers that be says you can't do anything about it. Hmmmmmmmmm

Doug.
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swizzle
24 years ago
Brendan...
having learnt the hard way... new plantings (trees etc.) can be protected with a stone mulch, but use larger stones than gravel or pebble size - if you want organic mulch, you can add it under the stones, using a good thick or heavy layer of stones too!
As for the propagation area, fencing will be the only way to keep them out. You might consider dividing the area into more financially manageable bites, or use star pickets and that nylon bird mesh that's usually thrown over fruit trees, and fix that to the ground using pegs.
Doug is right about the critters being protected, so eating them's out of the question - don't believe Peter either, they taste gross (apparently...!!). And we have 20 plus here, and wait till they take your mulch for nests too...

Cheers - D ;)
sterculias
24 years ago
Has anyone tried an electric fence? If you try this check with your local council as electic fences are illegal in most suburbia.

Doug.
Kizzylaveeda
23 years ago
Hi Brendan, I am very sorry that I lost touch with you. I have had your seeds ready to send for some time now, but didn't have your address. I was using my sister's computer and she lost her aol account and I could not get back in. I am staying with a friend, using his computer, can only check correspondence through gardenweb or kizzyseeds@yahoo.com Please get in touch with me. Sharon Florence in Norfolk, VA

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