All about roosting

[KOTurkeyRanch]

Questions.......
-Do your turkeys roost?
-If so, how high are your roosts?
-What are the benefits of roosting?
- is it bad if they dont roost if they are a heritage breed?
-What do you use for a roost?

 

[houndit]

Quote:
Most all our heritage turkeys roost.
They sleep on the chicken roost a lot. It is about 2 feet high. I had another roost just for them. It was about 4 feet high. They really liked it.
I like seeing them roost. I think it also helps prevent frostbite on their toes when it is really cold.
I have had some that do not roost and they have been fine.
I use two by twos or a two by four on its side. The 2" by 4" is stronger.

 

[chseeads]

Mine roost with the chickens and guineas in the coop.... They usually prefer the top roost, or one of the higher ones anyhow, most of the time.

The top roost is higher than my head, so over 6 feet, and the bottom one is just over knee high or so.

My roosts are natural wood....top two are cedar tree trunks, the rest are pieces split from a sassafrass trunk.

Here's a bedtime pic.....

 

[Cacklin" Hens]

Quote:
yes my turkeys roost I uses a 2x2 board about 3 feet off the ground. all birds need to roost, because that is what they do in the wild and it is healthier for them because they are not laying in their feces. It isn't technically bad if they don't roost, but I HIGHLY recommend you give them a roost because trust me, if they have one available they will roost on it and it is something they do in the wild and it is healthier. I also agree with houndit about the frostbite. I hope this helps!

 

[TipsyDog]

Quote:
What a great picture - I'm jealous! Beautiful, colorful and those upper gals are really crowding up there! So cute

 

[chseeads]

Thanks.

Yeah, they pile right up there....probably feels pretty good on cold nights.

 

[ivan3]

That's quite the Ark, chseeads

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

Cacklin" Hens :

yes my turkeys roost I uses a 2x2 board about 3 feet off the ground. all birds need to roost, because that is what they do in the wild and it is healthier for them because they are not laying in their feces. It isn't technically bad if they don't roost, but I HIGHLY recommend you give them a roost because trust me, if they have one available they will roost on it and it is something they do in the wild and it is healthier. I also agree with houndit about the frostbite. I hope this helps!

they dont need to roost. What about Broad Breasted turkeys? They cant roost. Also, i have roosts available but my red Bronze turkey Tom chooses not to rest. Not all birds have to roost.​

 

[houndit]

Here is a picture I forgot I had.

 

[Cacklin" Hens]

Quote:
What kind of turkeys are they???