A New Kind of Ranching Is Taking It’s Place at the Ponderosa!

[@the_quaint_gypsy]

That turkey pen is neat But... You should peg it down in between moves as one good gust of wind will turn it into a kite. (Speaking from experience...)

[@gafairbanks2434]

Hey guys ! EVERY FARMER KNOWS, YOU ONLY MOVE BIRDS AFTER DARK ! Their too scared during daylight hours. Calmer when they can't see. Herd is looking GREAT.

[@s.patrciabrady]

Don't care whatyou say Dusty, Big Joe is your pet Bison!! 😂😂😂. He really does favor you❣️🦬🦬🦬

[@robinwoods9961]

Big Joe cracks me up he always wears the hay. I just love him.

[@thetruthisoutthere8714]

Those aluminum cross beams will be very cold during winter months. If your birds are roosting up on those they could get frostbite. Birds don't generally need extra care to survive the cold, but they generally roost on wood, or other surfaces that don't retain the cold, like aluminum/steel tend to. Might want to consider putting some wood runners across the top, something you can replace but is a more suitable material to roost on. Food for thought.

[@marilynbridges8697]

Very good suggestion.

[@kristineweber2826]

Need wood for roosting…..they will get frostbite roosting on metal.

[@gshooty55]

He also needs to put raccoon proof wire across the top then put the tarps on. It will be a matter of time before a big old coon gets in there at night and reeks havoc!

[@jeri8360]

About Ten years ago the state of Michigan did a program to bring back the wild turkey in our area. It sure worked! They are everywhere now and are fun to watch them roost in the trees to sleep each night. We are now use to seeing them in our yards, parks, and we all stop to allow them cross the street.

[@Gynelle-h2k]

I thought Bison ranching was tough until you caught those turkeys. Thank you for trying to bring back the turkey population. I also want to thank you for all the Bison videos. Because of you, buffalo has gone down the drain as I now see those great animals are BISON. Never gave them a second thought until your channel. Appreciate all you have done for these magnificent animals!

[@maryannec55]

That was so cute how the herd came running up when they saw your truck :)

[@k-lo0007]

I agree! ❣️

[@qwertyuiop273]

My uncle raised chickens (about 4,000) and sold eggs. When the older hens were to go to the slaughter house, he would wait till dark and we caught the chickens and put them in the little traveling coops and loaded them on the truck. If you must move them again, try it after dark and see how it goes. Much, so much, easier.

[@georgianelson5038]

I was just thinking today that we had not heard or seen the turkeys lately. Great job girls did manning the gates for you.

[@JamesHill-lj2dy]

I love the way Bullet, Jackie and Maya are all so "engaged" in helping you! Hilarious! ...and you emerged with nary a scratch! Thank goodness for Kevlar hats! 😅...and that is a FIRST CLASS TURKEY MOTEL! (Mo-tel, because it MOVES!)

[@pathamm5834]

I love Big Joe … he has some major personality , he is like I’ll entertain my human herd person

[@anitamartin953]

Moving birds at night, after they have roosted, is much easier :)

[@diannemiller4754]

Turkey wrestling with the finest helpers ❤😊 I'm just strolling along my turkey and me.😊 So much fun watching your family working together ❤️

[@philipbutler6608]

That tarp will be like a kite in a high wind so you may want to come up,with a cinder block anchoring . Those claws will tear through your shirts and skin. You could have ate one of the Tom’s. When you do let them go put them where there are with tall trees. They roost very high. I think they like bald Cyprus Trees. There may be some types of food you can plant. My Turkeys would follow me around I think they have the most expressive eyes. The males tail feathers make great cat toys. Their heads turn color if you watch them you notice the change from red to blue to white. White being the highest state of arousal. You might want to put different width roosts.

[@amyrobles4780]

Too many Tom's will put alot of stress on the hens. They loose feathers as well cause the boys aren't gentle when they mate. Oh yeah almost forgot BIG JOE❤❤❤❤ 😂 I love that big doofus. All you see is his big head bobbing up and down through the pastures ❤

[@HensOnly]

Yes, the toms can put a lot of stress on the hens. He can put the toms in the smaller pen for a little while OR split that new coop into two different spaces, one for the breeding trio/quad and the other one for the bachelor pen. Each breeding season, switch up the toms to diversify the genetics.

[@cynthiasparks1222]

The turkeys are beautiful!

[@Pdblee]

Can you imagine these as the national bird, I’m so glad the bald eagle was chosen.

[@dancnluc1]

Whew - what a workout with those turkeys. Big Joe was sporting a new look.

[@laurasense4163]

You should find some old skidsteer sweeper brushes. Put posts in the ground that the brushes will slide onto and then the bison will have those to scratch and rub on instead of doing that on the bales.

[@deborahgallagher-vu5hl]

I have seen that done with the old brushes from car washes also.

[@Parkmtrmom]

That is a great turkey coop/tractor. I highly recommend putting wire or cattle panels on the roof, under the tarp. If that tarp blows off, the turkey will fly the coop and be gone.

[@marilynbridges8697]

Really good suggestion. A torn tarp would be a disaster for your plan.

[@christinastewart9830]

The new pen is amazing! The turkeys are gonna have so much more room in there! WOW! They don't know what to do, YET! LOL! They will start making It their own in no time. The girls opening and closing the gates and pen were havin fun! Plus, they helped out. Can't wait til they start layin and hopefully having babies! God bless.😊❤

[@maddiem1030]

You might think about anchoring the great turkey pen so it won’t be flying off in a strong wind. Also they like to roost on wood. The aluminum bars will be either too cold or too hot depending on the season. Love your videos❣️🌹😁♥️

[@CrossTimbersBison]

That's a good idea!

[@angiebrewer9960]

Just a hint… move birds at night. They can’t see in the dark. They will be on the roost, you can use a flashlight but spot the bird and then put the light on the ground and grab the feet. Easy pesy.

[@Ketowski]

And turn them upside down, since that seems to disorient them enough to get them moved.

[@kathyhardee2398]

Dusty, I've really enjoyed watching you and your precious wife and daughter the past few months. I absolutely adore bison and their beauty. Watching you with the herds is so fun, im thinking you have made a few pets in the herd. It's wonderful that you are teaching all of us why you do things for the land and animals. Thank you for your dedication to these beautiful animals.

[@christinawyckoff2164]

Awesome for the turkeys love that hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving God bless your beautiful family 🙏💞

[@toddtrierweiler958]

Good they went from a 1 bedroom apartment to the Turkey 🦃 townhouse 🏠 and you can keep the name Turkey 🦃 townhouse 😊

[@cynthiahappel3697]

Always look forward to your videos on Sunday!

[@terrimartens3976]

Oh Gosh - this is more work than working THE BISONS -- LOVE the horse, dogs and kids being right there!! You guys are real farmers!!🥰🥰🥰

[@RevXrae1]

Dusty, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to be on. I’ve had heart surgery and back surgery for an impinged nerve. But I’m doing much better. I got one and I love what you’re doing with the turkey. Has anyone told you that four gobbler is too many for the three hands to be able to raise fertilized eggs. The goggles will be on the handsthat will cause them not to be able to fertilize. Look it up and think about that because you may need to separate some of the gobbler.

[@TerryDavison-f1k]

Good evening Dusty Marissa and Brookes thank you for having me along God bless y'all love y'all I love the bison so much

[@selfretired3025]

I suggest something like a cattle panel across the top under the tarp because water will puddle in it and cause it to get pretty ugly... not to mention undue stress on the ties

[@emjustice1158]

Turkey moving. A big job. Glad they have a new bigger roost.

[@RatdogDRB]

Nice new chicken tractor for those turkeys. I mentioned it before, I suggest you connect with Pete/Hilarie Larson from Just a Few Acres Farm channel. They raised turkeys for a number of years and Hilarie figured out the system for not losing the hatchlings. Their's were domestics, not wild, but I'm betting the same principles would apply for your wild breeds. God bless you folks in your efforts.

[@EDDEER-o8e]

i LIKE HOW YOU INCLUDE BROOKES IN YOUR CHORESshes so smart

[@jansmall72]

Beautiful wild turkeys Dusty

[@williamgahman5028]

Hi Dusty,Marissa and Brooke. Great video. Always something new happening on the Ponderosa Will be great to restock the wild turkeys on the Ponderosa Nice pen with lots of space God bless and love yall ❤

[@Frostyblu]

All your animals look healthy. You can tell that you take a lot of pride in your work. 💜

[@mlbs4803]

Those turkeys are a feisty lot. There's a flock that drifts thru our neighborhood from time to time. One morning, one of the hens spent 15 mins or so refusing to let me even get close to my car.

[@Robert-h4v]

It’s great how you & Mellisa involve Brooke with your projects. She sure is growing. You guys are really good parents & your love for all your animals is amazing. We enjoy every video you do. One more thing we should be receiving our jerky this week. So every one watching that are fans of this site help support Cross Timbers so they can keep on Bison ranching.

[@lindahaggard6416]

Such a fashion statement when you can also wear your food! Looking good Big Joe!

[@reviewfam]

That is really awesome what y'all are doing I would be careful with using metal roosting poles their feet can freeze to them

[@vickiemeeks5399]

Hello Marisa,Brooke and Dusty.

[@rodneywroten2994]

Dusty the pen looks very strong. but coyote will spend all night long just to dig under. But your great permeases will take care of them

[@gshooty55]

Wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep a game cam on it, especially one that sends to your phone.

[@carolynnance2376]

Great video! Glad you’re working with the wild turkeys! Thank you for caring.❤

[@garykirchner8468]

Hidden Heights put cinder blocks on 2 sides after it flipped over during a wind storm.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

This was great fun, watching the "seven "get their new home. How do they stay warm, do you add hay?❤

[@CrossTimbersBison]

I do add hay. But they’re wild…they really don’t need anything to stay warm

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks Dusty and family.......Brooke is growing up fast and God lover .... Old F-4 pilot Shoe🇺🇸

[@jeromejanisch2500]

hi Dusty.. i dont know what was done before, but i do know you can not move eggs willy nilly, be it snakes, turtle or chicken or turkey........ YOU CAN NOT!!!! ROTATE any which way you want unless you(mark them up) want scrambled eggs, then good job!!!... i dont know what happened, i just want to eliminate an error for the low success rate.. good luck, i'm pulling for you

[@richardverrier2121]

It's easier to do at night when they are roostin

[@DonnaJohnson-e2s]

You’re such good farmers, hard working too.

[@RevXrae1]

Dusty, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to be on. I’ve had heart surgery and back surgery for an impinged nerve. But I’m doing much better. I got one and I love what you’re doing with the turkey. Has anyone told you that four gobbler is too many for the three hands to be able to raise fertilized eggs. The goggles will be on the handsthat will cause them not to be able to fertilize. Look it up and think about that because you may need to separate some of the gobbler. I wish someday I would be able to come and see your ranch. I think everything you’re doing with your little girl and your wife are such wonderful wonderful things.

[@MargaretMartin-z6c]

I live in the Appalachian mountains in East Tennessee. Almost daily for the last few weeks I’ve had 20 to 30 wild turkeys in my back yard. Last summer a momma raised 13 little ones out there and we got to watch them grow up

[@jacquelineraines2074]

Big Joe cracks me up when he puts his blonde wig on. What a guy! The turkeys are so interesting and I look forward to seeing them succeed in reproducing more.

[@donnaelkins186]

❤😊❤ great job on the turkey moblie unit! Great idea.

[@dt8ustotten285]

Thinking the same thing on those cross beams. Awesome Turkey wrangling! Thanks for sharing! Love from Rhode Island!

[@kayevans4335]

Love the hay on the horns!!😂

[@davidbingham7404]

DUSTY and Marissa great video. So glad that you were able to get a turkeys a pen big enough for all of them plus you can move it around as needed on the farm. Mia was involved in the move along with the rest of the family, got a kick out of the girls. 🦃🦃🦃🐎🐎🐕🐕💖💖💞❤❤❤.

[@deborahgallagher-vu5hl]

Several years ago I had 13 baby turkeys with several hens on my property. They looked like little footballs. Live inCedar Hill, Missouri

[@amyrobles4780]

The skin on the heads also change color depending on their mood. If the head is red stay away cause they're angry. 😂

[@donnareynolds9017]

So glad to hear about the turkeys. Was thinking about them last night. Now they can spread out.

[@treasureslayer3049]

Keep your turkey feathers, you could sell them in lots of items. Quill pens, jewelry, free with a purchase of something, painting with them, like a kids kit, decorations, I’m sure there’s lots of ideas. I know at some point you hope to have guest at the ranch. Great video and you’re all doing a great job!

[@dianabrown833]

Good for you! There is so much interest in bringing back wild turkeys. Great idea. Have you seen the videos of people who have made chicken coops on wheels and they move the flock at the same time?

[@judithrivin2031]

Dusty, you’re gutsy. Bison, moving wild turkeys- great to watch.

[@leahturner9486]

They are beautiful birds.

[@maziet9734]

Funniest Video ever!🥰🤩🥰How to catch turkeys!! 2 hens, 4 toms, 1 hen to go, and a partridge in a pear tree! Thanks for filming!

[@sashcraft51]

That was quite an adventure.

[@rhondastory6825]

Dusty that looks like it was a lot of fun. I wish we could see more baby boy Dunbar ❤😊

[@lisamourey292]

Wow. Those turkeys really grew up!!!!

[@pamelahousley7543]

Awesome new pen - birds look great.

[@susandallessandro5076]

Well that was different and interesting. I have seen chickens in them and it is so nice that they can easily be moved to where there is more grass.

[@denault3985]

Wow, look at that huge Turkey Hotel.

[@mdolanot]

Awesome

[@rodeofrog6122]

Dusty it would be easier to work your Birds after dark when they are roosting makes it easier to catch and lest chance of breaking any legs when you catch them..

[@CrossTimbersBison]

True!

[@denisehibbs9576]

Wow ! Dusty , you are brave ! I could not catch a turkey , if my life depended on it ! It scared me just watching you . Take care !

[@patriciamuskevitsch8359]

Is there no wire on the top? If not, racoons are easily going to climb in and eat those birds.

[@rebeccaplummer7847]

❤ Hi Bakers good new housing 😊

[@nancyyates6168]

My Mom used to use a fishing net with handle

[@johnmallette3143]

Tkzz for sharing,.,.,peace

[@stephaniedougherty8029]

It's wonderful!! Bravo

[@JoPerry-by3wd]

The dogs are interested in the turkeys 😂. Yes, but Bullet was FOCUSED. 😂❤😂 I LOVE the mobile unit!! Wow!! They didn't have those 55 years ago when I was raising chickens... or if they did, we didn't know about them. 😮 I have some hints for catching large wild birds, such as undomesticated chickens, turkeys, ducks (penned, away from water); not geese. If anyone is interested, shoot me a reply here.

[@margf.6773]

As you move the new pen around to new areas, the turkeys will (ahem) "fertilize" the different areas of the field.

[@rebeccakroeger484]

I wouldn’t rely on just the tarp for the top. A heavy snow could collapse it in. You need at least chicken wire on the top in case the tarp comes off or fails.

[@paulmartens4442]

Dusty, "The Turkey Wrangler!"

[@patsyarmstrong5119]

The turkeys are getting big

[@cathywarmels-e2d]

Pretty entertaining! God bless you for not using the choice words that I would have!

[@judyedwards9237]

Your doing a wonderful job 😊😊😊😊

[@juanitaziegler7016]

I love the wild turkey! ❤❤❤

[@sherryelkins5270]

😂 Bullet just wants to help wrangle the turkeys,,,🤭 he cant drive the bison so to him the turkeys are just his size,,,🐶🦃😂😂

[@lindahaggard6416]

Bison are like "Hey, we want a house, too"!

[@nrivera4380]

Great video!

[@Cass-es5kl]

You have a Tom. Excellent

[@decorahnord9902]

Wow ,that was a job. .

[@suethompson1740]

When you are done with the birds, you could cover it with visqueen, and Merissa has a new green house. 😅😊

[@petgranny194]

Turkeys look great!

[@tacratt6091]

The feathers on their heads and neck are most likely being picked out by the other turkeys, the feathers have blood in them when they moult.

[@bettyharvath5217]

Watching you from Delaware.

[@croittle]

That was a great day for the turkeys , new PH yay!

[@DonnaLeech]

Everyone is getting into the action 😮

[@rosal6663]

People don't forget to smash the like button to show support for this channel. New viewers subscribe it is free. Push the notification bell so you won't miss any new videos and share this video with your friends. Thank you all for your support. Have a great day 😊👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@donnareynolds9017]

Happy Turkeys.