Leaving turkeys to roost in the trees over night?

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Kacey I15

Kacey I15

In the Brooder
Jun 8, 2015
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Just walked outside to see her in the tree roosting wasn't sure if I should leave her be or bring her in coop I was wondering what most of you would have done I did bring her in the coop.
 
If you don't have raccoons, or owls, or ice storms in the winter? Probably not a problem. Ours were returned to the shed (bow and arrow to shoot a leader over the occupied limb - followed by nylon cord on which a couple of, punched through, empty, gallon water jugs had been "attached" - point spotlight at ground where the "landing"/capture zone was defined). Run the gallon jugs along occupied limb (one person on each end of the line - sliding jugs into roosting turkey(s)) - turkeys fly into light and back to the shed they'd go. Once had our first two jennies parked on top of the chimney with a severe thunderstorm rolling in (that was an interesting removal job). However, after the first month of absolutely consistent requirement that the shed was "home roost" - never have had another problem (adult hens do the instruction of their poults - no need for human intervention in over 10 years - and there are 60-80 ft. Hickories in runs and surrounding runs). Also helps to provide some "day roosts" to decrease any "temptation":
 
ivan3 said:
If you don't have raccoons, or owls, or ice storms in the winter? Probably not a problem. Ours were returned to the shed (bow and arrow to shoot a leader over the occupied limb - followed by nylon cord on which a couple of, punched through, empty, gallon water jugs had been "attached" - point spotlight at ground where the "landing"/capture zone was defined). Run the gallon jugs along occupied limb (one person on each end of the line - sliding jugs into roosting turkey(s)) - turkeys fly into light and back to the shed they'd go. Once had our first two jennies parked on top of the chimney with a severe thunderstorm rolling in (that was an interesting removal job). However, after the first month of absolutely consistent requirement that the shed was "home roost" - never have had another problem (adult hens do the instruction of their poults - no need for human intervention in over 10 years - and there are 60-80 ft. Hickories in runs and surrounding runs). Also helps to provide some "day roosts" to decrease any "temptation":
Click to expand...
Wow very cool! Thank you for sharing!
 
turksinmaine said:
we have both raccoons and at least one ,good sized, owl real close by. What harm would either do to a turkey?
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We leave back in the woods a bit but never seen a owl really close to the house but we seen raccoons not to often by the house but we have before
 
Owls will kill young turks , raccoon will kill young or old. Turkeys roost in trees or up high when they sleep for protection purposes. they will be ok in the tree but safer in the coop.
 
how do your turkeys get down from the high roost? Do they fly straight down or jump to a lower roost. I am having problems with my turkeys hurting themselves from high spots. I am guessing I have BB bronze....didnt know that when we got them as poults.
 
johnjaha said:
how do your turkeys get down from the high roost? Do they fly straight down or jump to a lower roost.  I am having problems with my turkeys hurting themselves from high spots.  I am guessing I have BB bronze....didnt know that when we got them as poults.  
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Provide the BB's low roosts 2"x4" wide side up - at no more than head ht. Other members have had luck just providing a few bales of straw that they can "perch" on. Same thing with areas they like to hunker down on during day (plenty of straw/dry bedding}. If you are planning on keeping these guys - don't let them fly (poor guys got to land and that hardly ever works out well) and watch their diets - soft bedding on ground helps keep breast blisters (pressure sores) from developing when they start to get "heavy".

Once they get a bit bigger all you really need do is provide a secure area with plenty of dry bedding/straw bales - as they'll be perfectly happy hunkering down without benefit of roost, if they feel safe.
 
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