News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
July 20, 2005
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT:
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
Mark Ellingwood: (603) 271-2461
July 20, 2005


NO SALMONELLA IN N.H. WILD TURKEY DROPPINGS

CONCORD, N.H. -- A total of 417 wild turkey droppings (fecal samples) 
collected on New Hampshire dairy farms during the winter of 2005 have 
all tested negative for salmonella. That's good news for wildlife 
managers and farmers in New Hampshire, who are concerned about possible 
transmission of salmonella from wild turkeys to dairy livestock. The 
screening was part of a collaborative effort between USDA Wildlife Services, 
the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Fish and Game 
Department, to better understand the impacts of winter turkey congregations 
on dairy farms in New Hampshire. 

During the summer of 2004, 22 New Hampshire dairy farms known to 
experience annual winter turkey congregations were surveyed and certain farm 
features were mapped, in order to assess farmer observations and 
opinions about turkeys and identify physical features of farms that might 
facilitate large flocks of turkeys during winter months. 

SURVEY RESULTS: Survey results indicated that 82% of farmers had a 
positive or neutral attitude toward turkeys. Regionally, 25% of northern 
farmers and 10% of southern farmers had a negative attitude toward 
turkeys, with the two main concerns being disease transmission and fecal 
contamination of silage intended for livestock feed. Farmers identified 
increased hunting opportunities and bag limits as the most effective 
method to control winter congregations. Only 14% of farmers responding to 
the survey identified turkeys as posing a threat to their property. 
Blackbirds and starlings (55%), pigeons (41%) and black bears (41%) were the 
wildlife species most often identified as being a threat to farm 
property. 

MAPPING RESULTS: Results relating physical features of farms to winter 
congregations of turkeys were inconclusive. Turkeys did appear to 
prefer to feed closer to roosts and cover, and farther from roads, barns, 
homes and other buildings. Roost quality, quantity and proximity to 
silage or other food, seems to play a role in determining a farm's 
likelihood of hosting winter turkey congregations. At the same time, local 
complexities relating to turkey habitat, alternative feeding opportunities 
and general human activity and presence are likely final determinants in 
turkey behavior.

TURKEY DROPPINGS AS DISEASE RISK: To assess disease threats, turkey 
droppings were collected from a total of 12 dairy farms from January 
through March 2005 -- 6 in the northern Connecticut River Valley, 5 in the 
southern Connecticut River Valley and one in southeast New Hampshire. 
Most farms were sampled monthly, with each "sample" consisting of 3 
droppings (from 3 different birds). An effort was made to collect 5 samples 
(droppings from 15 different birds) per farm per month. Biologists are 
confident that at least 130 different birds per month were sampled, and 
that more than 300 different birds were sampled across the winter. All 
of the samples tested negative for salmonella. 

"Dairy farms play a critical role in the ecology of wild turkeys in 
Northern New England. We're very pleased with the positive attitudes of 
dairy farmers reflected in the survey and with the results of our first 
year of disease screening," said Mark Ellingwood, a wildlife supervisor 
with the Fish and Game Department. "The willingness of dairy farmers to 
accommodate turkeys is important to the well-being of turkeys and to 
the interests of turkey enthusiasts throughout the Connecticut River 
Valley. In that regard, we all owe dairy farmers a debt of gratitude." He 
noted that over the past 30 years since wild turkeys were reintroduced 
to New Hampshire, the population has increased to about 25,000 birds. 

Ellingwood is hopeful that a second year of disease screening will take 
place in 2006 in order to increase overall sample sizes and to 
strengthen the study results.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the 
state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

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Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.