Thwarting The Turkeys, June 2, 2025 275 words

My husband John is a control master when it comes to his garden, yard and plantings. He cuts, trims and weeds to perfection. All is perfect, except for the wild turkeys. We have several that roam the neighborhood, looking for bird feeder leftovers.
The problem? John has new red colored mulch on the hill, behind the stone wall. The turkeys, like chickens, scratch the mulch by kicking backward to move the mulch to find dropped seeds. They kick the mulch decorating the green grass with bright red wood. Though this may look pretty, It is not in John’s control.
Last week, He shopped at the local farm store to purchase metal cattle panels that had four by six inch openings to discourage the turkeys from scratching and moving the mulch. The turkeys decided to scratch the mulch on the edge of the fencing, making the same mess. Score Turkeys 1, John 0.
John took the challenge to heart. He edged the area between to the wall and the mulch with 8 inch wood fencing to keep the mulch from being moved by the turkeys.
Score John 1, Turkeys 1. This is working but the turkeys have disappeared for now. additionally, John’s out of pocket expense is over sixty dollars.
The back yard is perfect again, but for how long? I think I heard the turkeys in conference in the woods.
poem
Turkey Assault
To scratch is their nature, making a mess.
What is the solution, for us no rest.
metal fencing, standing wood slats.
Turkeys confer, behind our hedge.
Plan for round three.
I’ll wait and see.
carolaspot@aol.com copyrighted 6/2/2025 .