Bourbon Red turkeys

[GobbleGirl14]

I've been wanting to get 2 bourbon red turkey chicks. would they do well in an ordinary chicken coop?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What's an ordinary chicken coop? Size and dimensions? Turkeys need more room than chickens.

 

[GobbleGirl14]

I was thinking like one of those smallish store-bought ones I saw at tractor supply. Thanks for your reply!!!!!!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Those will never work, they are too small and enclosed for turkeys that prefer a larger more open area to roost. You can keep them in a 3 sided shed with the open side facing south. Of course most turkeys will roost anywhere outside if allowed.

 

[rochesjourney]

Those will never work, they are too small and enclosed for turkeys that prefer a larger more open area to roost. You can keep them in a 3 sided shed with the open side facing south. Of course most turkeys will roost anywhere outside if allowed.

I have predators so would a 3 sided shed work with an enclosed run?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What kind of predators do you have? I haven't had anything mess with my turkeys. Mine aren't locked in the shed at night and many sleep outside on a log roost that's about 2 feet off the ground in the run, when the weather is good. They even sleep out there in the middle of winter.

My run isn't exactly secure. If you have troubles with predators a good run with a strand or two of electric fence can keep them safe from most things. Turkeys need a covered run too because they can fly out of them.

I have used a few cheap premade fence panels for part of my run. 6 foot tall dog eared fence panels that provide shade and windbreaks.

Adult turkeys are much harder than others poultry species.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

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[rochesjourney]

I am in Texas, just west of Abilene. I have seen coyotes roaming the area on many occasions. I also have seen 2 very large cats on the back part of the property running off with rats in their mouths. A neighbor I talked to said they are wild house cats, but they are huge, like a small panther. One is black and one is white. As curious as I am to get a real good look at them, there is no way I would get that close to them. Other than that, we have owls, wild rabbits, and snakes. I plan on a 3 sided shelter for my turkeys and completely enclosed run so they can't fly out. I will have portions of the run covered top and side with some metal sheeting from an old building.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like a good plan.