Feathered trio has Townsville suburb Annandale talking turkey
A rafter of turkeys let out on the loose have been turning heads in a Townsville suburb.
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A rafter of turkeys let out on the loose have been turning heads in a Townsville suburb.
The three easily identifiable birds are a commercial breed and have been creating quite the discussion in Annandale.
The Annandale Staying Aware Facebook page has been swamped by residents posting pictures of the three birds and their latest location.
The turkeys’ owner, Deanne McGeachie, said they had stirred up a nationwide cult following.
“The turkeys have created quite a following. Even people from Melbourne are following them,” she said. “(It) makes a nice change from all the crime in Annandale.”
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The birds piqued the interest of Melbourne resident Steven Steele who is moving up to the Townsville suburb.
“My wife and I are currently travelling from Melbourne to our new home in Annandale and have been closely monitoring the activities of the turkeys. We can’t wait to seem them,” he said.
Ms McGeachie has since created a designated Facebook page for the turkeys called Annandale Mascots.
The three turkeys are female. One was called Dirty Debbie while the other two were named Paul and Luch after a gender mix-up.
Ms McGeachie was gifted the turkeys by her daughter Mackenzie when they were eight-week-old chicks.
“I think the turkeys are a standard commercial crossbred. They are very funny to watch. They are also very close to each other and stress if they can’t be with each other,” Ms McGeachie said.
“They love to chase away the ibises. Having a lot of trouble keeping them at home. Have clipped their wings but they wonder during daylight and return home at night to sleep.”
Ms McGeachie joked while they were not destined for the table they could end up being someone’s Christmas lunch one day if they ended up in the wrong yard.
But judging by the large following of the birds, they should remain safe in Annandale. According to Townsville City Council turkeys may be kept at home but should be securely contained in an enclosure at the back of the residence.
Ms McGeachie said the turkeys were brought back home at night.
Originally published as Feathered trio has Townsville suburb Annandale talking turkey