How do I get my turkeys to roost at night?

[lockehaven]

I have five heritage breed turkeys and they won't roost! I built them a stepped roost for them, not sure what is going on but it seems they prefer sleeping on the ground, they are about three months old. two toms and three hens,, any ideas?

 

[rreid87]

Are you sure they are heritage? I've never heard of a turkey that wouldn't roost.

 

[memphis]

What are you using for a roost?

 

[lockehaven]

open sided, triangle shape first roost two feet of the ground the middle four feet.

 

[lockehaven]

yes i am, they spent the first two months with some freedom ranger chickens and i think they may have picked up their bad habits

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They might not feel safe with the open sides

 

[memphis]

What is the actual roost...a 2x4?

 

[MotherNature7]

I have a nice barn with a 2x4 roost for my 4 turkeys to roost and 3 of them go on top of the barn and 1 goes to the corner of the fence on the ground. He is perfectly healthy but doesn't get along with the girls so he goes to his corner at night! I hope that's ok. He is protected well by a dog so I don't think anything will get him so I just leave him there!

 

[lockehaven]

My turkeys have roosted!!! i think it just took some getting used to for them having this big structure around and to figure out what to do with it!