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Turkey tractor

post #1 of 4
11/25/10 at 7:52am
Thread Starter 

With all the turkey talk at this time of year has got me thinking of maybe raising a few turkeys next year.

Is it possible to raise them in a tractor?  I was thinking a hoop type tractor.  How big would the tractor need to be for 4-5 turkeys?

One concern I had was being able to move the tractor in November with the ground getting very wet and muddy around here.

Thanks

Loving my mixed flock. 

How I beat feather picking. http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6586027#p6586027

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Loving my mixed flock. 

How I beat feather picking. http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6586027#p6586027

Reply
post #2 of 4
11/25/10 at 11:38am

Turkeys can certainly be raised in tractors.  And for only four or five turkeys it could be quite small.  A 6x6 tractor would be plenty big as long as you move it every day.  Some people seem to mistake tractor for portable coop and make large, heavy "tractors" that stay in one place for a long time.  Remember, the point of a tractor is to work the soil.  You could probably leave a 10x10 in the same spot for two or three of days, especially when the birds are young.

Chickens were fun...until I got turkeys!
Narragansetts, Golden Narragnasetts, Royal Palms, Calico, Standard Bronze, Red Bronze, (and a few BB Bronze..but don't tell anyone!)
Mixed flock of laying hens
Mixed-stock pigs

Two-many horses

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Chickens were fun...until I got turkeys!
Narragansetts, Golden Narragnasetts, Royal Palms, Calico, Standard Bronze, Red Bronze, (and a few BB Bronze..but don't tell anyone!)
Mixed flock of laying hens
Mixed-stock pigs

Two-many horses

Reply
post #3 of 4
11/25/10 at 4:26pm

I just raised 5 BBW in a 8X10X3 pasture pen.  They dressed out at 31, 29, 28, 24, and 20 pounds at 19 weeks. The pen was plenty big, and made with with wood strapping.   The 31 pounder was juicy :and flavorful.  We ate him today!

http://www.rachelschicks.embarqspace.com
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http://www.rachelschicks.embarqspace.com
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post #4 of 4
11/25/10 at 5:49pm
Thread Starter 

I'm guessing I need to design in the same level of predator protection as a chicken tractor? 

It looks like they will need some sort of cover/roof to keep the rain off them?  I guess a tarp could do the trick.

And a roost, it doesn't have to that high off the ground does it?

I have built a chicken tractor so I have been thinking and reading on how to make my next tractor lighter, easier to move and easier feed and water.  I'm thinking of a hoop tractor, with an aluminum frame, wheels that raise and lower for moving and external PVC feeders.

Loving my mixed flock. 

How I beat feather picking. http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6586027#p6586027

Reply

Loving my mixed flock. 

How I beat feather picking. http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6586027#p6586027

Reply
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