# Wild turkeys and peacock hanging around my hive **URL:** \ **Category:** General Bee Chat\ **Created:** [March 26, 2016, 7:04am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008 "2016-03-26T07:04:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dragoness](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dragoness/32/153_2.png) [@Dragoness](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dragoness)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2016, 7:04am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/1 "2016-03-26T07:04:19Z")
I just chased about 7 turkeys and one peacock away from my hive today. We have lots of wild turkeys here (northern CA) and I wasn’t thinking of them coming to eat my bees being a problem. Has anyone else had them coming to eat bees? Can the bees defend themselves well enough from this level of bird-predation, or should I fence off the hive or something? If I put a small fence around, hopefully the bees would get up above bird level before hitting the fence perimeter, but it would need to be small enough to discourage the birds from just hopping inside. I’ll be going out to recheck and maybe fence tomorrow, but I wanted to see what other’s experiences were and how big of a problem you think this might be. ---
**Author:** ![busso](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/busso/32/16301_2.png) [@busso](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/busso)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2016, 8:29am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/2 "2016-03-26T08:29:07Z")
> [@Dragoness](#): > > 7 turkeys And Thanksgiving such a long way off. ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/2X/a/a77c08094a017804a32f7bb33e35d8beaca02f9c.png) ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/3 "2016-03-26T17:28:54Z")
> [@busso](#): > > Thanksgiving such a long way off Shame that wild turkeys don’t taste all that great… 😈 ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/4 "2016-03-26T19:16:12Z")
I have no personal experience of this, but it looks like you are not the only one, and they can be a real pest to beekeepers. Here is what I found: > **[Wild Turkeys eating my bees](http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?214000-Wild-Turkeys-eating-my-bees)** > > Beesource Beekeeping Forum - Index I would fence it with a wire mesh fence at least. ---
**Author:** ![daleknott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@daleknott](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/daleknott)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2016, 12:00pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/5 "2016-03-27T12:00:17Z")
Wild turkey is outstanding to eat!!! Filet the breast. Beat it thin. Make schnitzel out of it. Yum!! You ever think you would get wild turkey recipe advice on a beekeeping forum!! ---
**Author:** ![greekbecky](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/greekbecky/32/278_2.png) [@greekbecky](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/greekbecky)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/6 "2016-03-27T16:43:27Z")
Dragoness, what a great post! You don’t hear this one very often. I have wild turkeys hanging out in my pasture, but they’ve not shown any interest with my hives (not that I’ve seen anyways). My neighbor ingeniously posted a plastic cutout of a coyote next to her garden to prevent damage from deer, rabbit, etc. and it worked like a charm! Why don’t you try getting one of those and put it near the hives? Here’s the one she bought: [http://www.mossyoakgraphics.com/coyote-side-view-cutout](http://www.mossyoakgraphics.com/coyote-side-view-cutout) Last week, I flew into San Franscisco for business and as the plane was landing I laughed when I saw one on a grassy strip (probably to deter Canada geese from hanging out there). ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/7 "2016-03-27T17:08:10Z")
> [@daleknott](#): > > Filet the breast. Beat it thin Ahh, that must be where I went wrong. Actually, our friends prepared it for us - he is a hunter and had shot a few of them. It was roasted after brining, and was still very tough - especially the legs. Might be OK in a chili or stew, but I didn’t really care for it. Will have to ask to try it schnitzel style if they offer it again. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Dragoness](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dragoness/32/153_2.png) [@Dragoness](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dragoness)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/8 "2016-03-27T20:19:49Z")
Thanks for that idea! That sounds great. I’ll probably put up a fence too but a cutout might keep them farther out. ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/9 "2016-03-27T20:28:30Z")
Do you have a fencing plan? I am in the process of building a lightweight fence around our hives for suspending insect screen to conform with city regs (urban site), and I would love to hear your ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Dragoness](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dragoness/32/153_2.png) [@Dragoness](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dragoness)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2016, 8:33pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/10 "2016-03-27T20:33:05Z")
Theres tons of metal wire fencing and a few metal fenceposts left over from stuff my dad had to rip out, so I was just going to put up a small circle of that around the hive, leaving a piece unattached so I can get in. Nothing fancy. ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/11 "2016-03-27T20:37:53Z")
OK, mine has to be 6 feet high, so here is what I am using: [http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-3-4-in-x-3-1-2-in-x-8-ft-Green-Powder-Coated-Steel-Fence-T-Post-901180EB/205960896?MERCH=RV-](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-3-4-in-x-3-1-2-in-x-8-ft-Green-Powder-Coated-Steel-Fence-T-Post-901180EB/205960896?MERCH=RV-)_-rv\_homepage\_rr-_-NA-_-205960896-_-N [http://www.homedepot.com/p/YARDGARD-5-ft-x-50-ft-14-Gauge-Vinyl-Galvanized-Welded-Wire-308354B/202024094](http://www.homedepot.com/p/YARDGARD-5-ft-x-50-ft-14-Gauge-Vinyl-Galvanized-Welded-Wire-308354B/202024094) and the insect screen will be repurposed from: [http://www.amazon.com/Jobars-82-4869-Garage-Screen-Enclosure/dp/B004GEC5W2/ref=sr\_1\_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1459111020&sr=1-2&keywords=garage+door+screen](http://www.amazon.com/Jobars-82-4869-Garage-Screen-Enclosure/dp/B004GEC5W2/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1459111020&sr=1-2&keywords=garage+door+screen) Hope it works out, I will let you all know 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![busso](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/busso/32/16301_2.png) [@busso](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/busso)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 8:04am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/12 "2016-03-28T08:04:13Z")
You say T-Post we say Star Picket. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/13 "2016-03-28T16:10:04Z")
> [@busso](#): > > You say T-Post we say Star Picket Home Depot says T-post… I say heavy, awkward, difficult to hammer in piece of recycled railway steel. Have you ever tried hammering in something that is 8 feet tall? It is very hard, even with a fence post driver. I should have worn ear plugs too - very noisy. ---
**Author:** ![busso](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/busso/32/16301_2.png) [@busso](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/busso)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 2:23am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/14 "2016-03-29T02:23:04Z")
> [@Dawn\_SD](#): > > you ever tried hammering in something that is 8 feet tall Yes.they can be a bit demanding but I’m sure you exaggerate and probably had them in in no time at all… I might add for anyone thinking of using them for temporary fencing they are harder to take out than put in. Some smart guy has invented a lever thingy but I use the the FEL on the tractor. ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/15 "2016-03-29T02:32:03Z")
> [@busso](#): > > the FEL on the tractor FEL = Fully Explosive Lever?? 😜 ---
**Author:** ![crfordy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@crfordy](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/crfordy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 3:49am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/16 "2016-03-29T03:49:24Z")
Its 15 feet to the peek of my home and the turkeys fly up and roost there often. so they dont just walk around on the ground. You might want to consider that when you are designing your fence. ---
**Author:** ![Dragoness](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dragoness/32/153_2.png) [@Dragoness](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dragoness)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 4:07am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/17 "2016-03-29T04:07:27Z")
I’m hoping if I make the fence small enough diameter that they won’t want to fly down inside it. Just want to leave only barely enough room for me to maneuver when I’m checking on my hives, plus a safe zone in front of the entrance for the bees protection. ---
**Author:** ![busso](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/busso/32/16301_2.png) [@busso](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/busso)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/wild-turkeys-and-peacock-hanging-around-my-hive/6008/18 "2016-03-29T05:18:15Z")
> [@Dawn\_SD](#): > > FEL = Fully Explosive Lever?? Front End Loader 😄