BBB and roosting?

[rubyrogue]

I have two Broad Breasted Bronze. they are just over 8weeks and insist on roosting anywhere they can. They are in my old chicken coop since the hens got new digs and the roosts are 3-4ft off the ground. I don't mind that they roost but when the fly off and land they just seem to land so hard and I am worried they are going to hurt themselves. Do BBB normally roost? I guess I was under the impression that they were too heavy. Should I take the roosts out?

 

[Denninmi]

Well, turkeys love to roost, and I think they just feel naturally safer that way at night. I have only had Royal Palms crosses until now, just got some BBB myself this week as hatchlings.

I guess my thoughts are that you should probably lower the roosts so they're not so high off of the ground, and then put something really deep and soft underneath, like a foot of really deep, fluffy straw, to cushion the blow. That way, they'll be happy and safe when they land.

 

[Frosty]

I don't think they're heavy enough to hurt themselves yet. I had some 5 month old BBW turkeys in a run with a 6' fence and they roosted up on the fence. They never got hurt on their way down but always managed to get down on the outside of the fence so I had to clip wings. When I free range they usually perch on a 4' fence.

 

[bryan99705]

I've been told to keep roosts no more than 24" high due to BBB's size and lack of grace. Might consider pulling the roosts and lowering them for safety. I've had the same issue with heavy chickens in a restricted space and had a minor injury when 2 jumped down at the same time and collided. Moving the roost for them was better than installing a ATC system in the coop

 

[terri9630]

I've got one BBW that insists on roosting on top of the rabbits roof. It is 4 1/2 feet tall. I don't like it but I don't see how to keep them off there.

 

[Frosty]

Quote:
In my experience (I usually raise about 15 birds a year starting in 1994) they quit themselves when they get too heavy to fly up. The only roosting accident I have had was when a bunch roosted on a 4' chainlink fence. The same fence that I used to contain my Siberian Husky to keep him from eating poultry and barn cats. I came home one night to him muching a turkey and the rest of the turkeys still perched on that fence and watching him munch their buddy.

Editing to add that these are free range turkeys, and stay in shape chasing down their food (like grasshoppers). They pretty much forage for themselves and I put out feed just enough to remind them where they live.