Rio Grande Wild Turkey
The First Hatches of Rio Grande Turkey each season are sold as hatched in groups of 28-33 that are hatched together. They will be raised in outdoor pens at Bird and Bee Farm until ready to forage at 3 months old. These pens are designed to minimize their exposure to pets and humans. These hatches can be reserved by contacting us. $500 deposit required.
Another Option is to purchase a group of 28-33 one month old Rio's that are hatched together. At this age they don't require a brooder.
One Month Old Rio's will need a space that includes shelter and opened areas that will provide 8-10 square feet per poult. A place where they can learn to roost off the ground 6-8' up.
An existing loafing shed or other structure may be easily converted for them. This needs to be a place they like to be so as to imprint your property on them. At three months old they will be ready to take on chemical free pest control on your Ranch.
A barn is perfect, they often find Rios in abandoned barns, they love this environment.
Jimmy's Turkey report
Not pretty but it worked. Used mostly scrap.
Placed one month hatch, raised to 3 month.
Friday- put 6 birds out during day back in at dark.
Saturday-left door open all day all back in at night
Sunday- door open all day. 3 stayed out roosting in trees.
Monday- door open and birds out and active all day. One of the 3 was missing this morning. Tonight they all went to roost high in the big oaks. Went on their own without encouragement. Have feed and water outside the pen. At this point it’s up to them!!
Another option for three month old Rios is to provide us with a feeder. We will make sure they are trained to use it before they leave here. Some people let them forage right away and others put them in a barn or other enclosure so they can acclimate. The feeder shown above is made in Texas (All Seasons Feeders - Turkey Feeder) and works well but others are also available from different manufacturers.
https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/collections/wild-bird/products/turkey-feeder-platform
This innovative Rancher created this feeding station. It is designed to keep animals from climbing up on it. Note how the legs are set back away from the edge. It also served as a good place for the Rio's to get up off the ground when they first arrived.
All Seasons also makes a similar stand.
https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/collections/wild-bird/products/turkey-feeder-platform
This stand is in an opened area and the Rio's have a good view of any predators that may choose to hunt them while they eat.
This Rafter was successfully acclimated and are doing well. The Rancher even planted a food plot for them. This Rancher purchased them to roam and provide chemical free pest control on his farm.
Others want Rio's for their beauty and chemical free pest control around their homestead. They choose to bring them home to a barn where they are let out in the morning and put up in the evening.
This is what we do at Bird and Bee Farm.
Small farms or ranches may purchase 1 or 3 month old Poults too. A minimum purchase of straight run (unsexed) Rio's is 6.
At the end of the season (Sept - Nov.) you may have an opportunity to purchase older pairs, trios or pairs of Jakes.
Our Rafter of Rio Grande Turkeys is one of the last legal breeding Rafters in the country. We let them roam free most of the year so their existence is in Gods Loving Hands. They are here by Gods grace.
Pick up location one hour from Austin, College Station or Waco Texas.
An innovative Customer has found a solution to help the Rio's get into the trees. A simple playground near feed, water and trees can help alleviate losses during the first few days. Alternatively, boards can be nailed directly into the trees.
Not all customers experience trouble getting their Rios into the trees but this might be helpful if you put something like this up before they arrive.
Rio's are great farm pets!
First Generations
Part of the family
Part of the family
If you want them to become part of your farm family, first generations can become quite friendly. We hear stories about them riding along on the ATV to check on the livestock and coming to the kitchen door for snacks.
Part of the family
Part of the family
Part of the family
One customer raises a dozen or so Rio's from one month old every year and lets them integrate on her ranch. She eventually sees less and less of them but they often come back to show her their poults. She shared this beautiful picture with us.
Rio Buddies
Part of the family
Rio Buddies
This beautiful customer has built a bound with this lovely lady. Here they are hanging out together. No matter what you want Rio's for, they always provide chemical free pest control and beautify the landscape.
Call Cindy to get some today!
Loafing Barns can be Multi Use
Rio Grande Wild Turkey in trees
Rio Grande Wild Turkey in trees
This customer put up a loafing barn, the Rio's love it and they don't mind sharing.
Rio's are ofter found in the Rafters of abandoned barns, that is why some call a group of Rio's a Rafter.
Rio Grande Wild Turkey in trees
Rio Grande Wild Turkey in trees
Rio Grande Wild Turkey in trees
The goal is for your Rios to be comfortable flying in and out of trees.
Well trimmed trees with no understory makes it easier for them to navigate their large bodies while they are learning to fly long distances. They love to be on the edge of a clearing but no matter how much we plan they ultimately choose their favorite spots, often changing by the season.
As noted by one of our very astute customers. When they roost high off the ground on the thin parts of the branches they are safe!
Predators that Prey on Rio Grande Wild Turkey, Poults and Eggs.
All Farms and Ranches have these predators. Our survey of past customers make the following points.
- Rio's are most vulnerable when they first arrive, any that don't get off the ground are at high risk.
- Predation doesn't seem to be an issue during the daytime.
- Rio's that learn to roost on the smaller limbs more than 10 feet off the ground will not be attacked by Racoons or Bobcats.
- Second year purchases of Rio's join up with previous purchases and have a higher survival and reproductive rate.
- Customers who aggressively trap and hunt Racoons and other predators (especial where feeder is initially located and in nesting area) are the most successful.
Rio Grande Wild Turkey Information and Resources
Biology and Management
For more information about Rio Grade Wild Turkey
Why Are Wild Turkey Populations Diminishing?
Article from the National Wild Turkey Federation
https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/4-facts-about-declining-turkey-populations
Texas Game Bird License
Bird and Bee Farm has held a Texas Game Bird Breeders License and has submitted Commercial Game Bird Breeders Reports to Texas Parks and Wildlife since 2016. In Texas a license is required to possess game birds in captivity for the purpose of propagation for sale, or for selling game bird meat, feathers or eggs. We are compliant with Texas Parks and Wildlife Code 64.006.
Transporting 3 month and older Rio's
Loading Times and Trailer Types
Your 3 month old Rio's need to be picked up in the dark and should arrive at their destination early morning if at all possible. This gives them the whole day to re-group and explore their environment so they will find their way into trees before dark. Catching the Rio's in the dark is much less stressful for the Rio's and the catcher.
Most Rio's are picked up in Stock Trailers but other methods may be suitable. Any openings that are bigger than 3" need to be covered. We have used plastic safety fencing on this tailer but many methods work and most involve zip ties, like chicken wire or gardening lattice. Some have screwed strips of wood or metal to narrow openings. You may have an innovation all you own!
Enclosed trailers can be used as long as they have adequate cooling and ventilation. We don't advise using Slant Type Horse Trailers, these have sharp corners where the Rio's will pile up on each other and cause injuries.
It is suggested that one hatch be divided into two or more sections. The stock trailer pictured has two sections, if picking up two hatches four sections are suggested. If you load too many in a section there is a risk one or more will get trampled on and killed or injured.
Would you prefer to hire an experienced Hauler?
Herrmann Haulers is local to Bird and Bee Farm and they have been hauling livestock for over 15 years! For $3.50 per loaded mile ($350 minimum) you can have your three month old Rio Grande Wild Turkey brought to you. This will include delivery to one location on your farm or ranch that is accessible for a One Ton Truck and a 32 foot livestock trailer. This will also include bringing your feeder (if you had one delivered to BBF) and 200#'s of Feed (if ordered and pre-paid at BBF). Additional Rio drop off locations can be added for a fee. Payment for Rio's payable to BBF Prior to Pick Up, Payment for delivery due upon arrival via Cash or Check to Herrmann Hauling. A fee for accommodations is added to hauls of over 500 loaded miles.
Your Rio Grande Wild Turkeys will be picked up in the dark. This is easiest on them and every effort will be made to ensure they arrive at your farm or ranch as early in the morning as possible. His Livestock Trailer has four sections so it can haul one or two hatches of Rio's without over-crowding.
Unfortunately losses are possible which is why divide them up into separate sections in the trailer. Although every effort is made to deliver them with out ANY losses, no reimbursements will be made for losses of up to two Rios per hatch.
Herrmann Hauling will coordinate arrival and meet you or your Ranch Manager at a predesignated location. Please be ready to show him where you would like your Rio's let out of the trailer. $50 per hour wait time will be added if no one is available to coordinate the delivery. You should place the feeder and fill it prior to letting the Rio's out.
To schedule your delivery please contact Jake Hermann 979-229-6934, phone or text at least two months in advance of your pick-up/delivery date.
