New Game Bird Predator

[High Brass]

We picked up a few quail yesterday for training and while visiting with the breeder he told us about another quail predater. He explained that he recently heard that the DNR in Missouri had autopsied 18 hen turkeys for a study and that 15 of the 18 had quail chicks in their bellies. The feeling was that as the turkeys were feeding they made a sound that attrackted the chicks and that they were mistaken for bugs and eaten. Could this be true??? Should we add turkey to the list of predators along with coyotes and hawks?
Thanks
Bob

[ezzy333]

Turkeys will break and eat quail eggs and pheasant or other birds eggs if they find them and happen to peck one and crack it open. But they can't swallow one to where it would be found in there crop or Gizzard. Most birds will do that occasionally even to there own eggs. I lose a pigeon egg every once in a while and will eat th yolk and the shell.

We have noticed a drop in quail on our farm and in the area ever since the turkeys have goten well populated. Been several years since I have seen a quail on there.

Ezzy

[ACooper]

Good article about this subject, I am on the fence on this one.


http://www.oknwtf.org/From-the-Field/Wi ... -and-Quail

[SLO_ROLL]

Maybe ???? Where have our quail gone. Take a ride tonight, backroads, and count the house cats, then tell me you are worried about "turkey eating quail." Sorry if this sounds "short" but blah blah blah FERAL HOUSE CATS

[jayhawkj]

The farms I used to hunt in SE KS used to be quail heaven and we never saw any turkey. Now I see lots of turkey and no quail, that's a good enough survey for me.

[bowhunter1221975]

turkey will eat quail eggs but i dont think they could eat chicks but they might peck them to death like chickens do in the yard they will peck any bird that they feel is trying to compete for food sourse

[ezzy333]

I will guaratee you a turkey never ate a quail. Like I said if they happen to stumble across a nest I am sure they might eat an egg if they break it but all birds do that. I do suspicion that could happen more often than we would like. They might even drive a quail from its nest but no way would they even be able to eat a bird.

Ezzy

[markj]

Here in the Loess Hills we have turkeys numbering in the hundreds maybe thousands, we also have a huge population of quail and pheasants, they seem to get along just fine. Look for varmints, they do more damage than any other predator. Possums, skunks, coons coyotes all will eat them babies and the eggs. Folks dont trap em much now as there just isnt money in it.

[Benny]

Here in the Loess Hills we have turkeys numbering in the hundreds maybe thousands

I just noticed I was drooling on the keyboard.
You guys should be posting up here: viewtopic.php?f=81&t=17410