Turkey Crop

[HoofsandWings]

Just how many of know what a crop is?
I just received an email about turkey crops.
If lots of you know, then I am embarassed. Not a term I here every day.

[bigdave]

I know 

I took out 10 of them in the last 2 weeks.

Farm-raised of course.

[CP]

Same as any other bird’s crop, the thing under the chin that fills with food. 

[ing]

Same as any other bird’s crop, the thing under the chin that fills with food. 

I thought that was craw?

[bigdave]

Depends on what part of the country you're from.

[tazz]

i have always heard of it as a craw also 

[yelp]

The crop sits between the right and left breast.  The food is collected in it before going through the gizzard and digested.

I got the same email and it is important to provide this data.  Many people think turkeys cause damage to crops and or compete for food with other wildlife.  This data will provide information for this study.  This study actually has been in the works for several years and it is finally getting done.  I think fall harvested turkeys will show different diets than spring harvested turkeys.  Late winter hunts will show hot steaming rumen stained hay bi-products.LOL..I encourage all of you turkey hunters to save the crops and send them in. 

http://fwl.oregonstate.edu/Labs/dugger/pdfs/wdfw_witu_fall_mailing.pdf
 

[yelp]

What would be funny is to shove some funny stuff into the crop before sending it in...lol..I could see the look on hte technicians face..   Oh my god this turkey ate a________!...LOL

[boneaddict]

 

I'm weird, I always check the crop from any bird I shoot to see what they are eating. 

[boneaddict]

Speaking of turkey crop.   This years crop looks excellent.   Lots of healthy birds and they are going into winter very healthy and strong.   I'm glad one of the game birds had a successful year.

[turkeydancer]

I guess I'm weird too, because I always check their diet by opening the crop too!

My understanding was that this study was going to be in SW Washington to see what we could do to improve the Eastern subspecies versus NE Washington where the Merriam's seem to be doing really good.  Seems that would be the better use of the funding.
 

[WCTaxidermy]

Bone, I'm with ya.  I open everyone of them I get.  I shot some Blues yesterday evening and opened up the crop/craw and it's amazing the things they eat.  These had a smorgasbord of things including a grasshopper, and parts of a stem of a sticker bush.  I saved the grasshopper legs for table fare. John

[parrydog]

I was also selected to send in the crops from any turkeys I get.  In fact I managed to get two today about noon, two tender young ones.  I usually open the crops  of game birds to see what they have been eating, but I left these ones for the scientists, felt like they were full of grass hoppers though.