Can I build a fence tall enough for my turkeys???

[RuzichFamily]

That is very encouraging! I truly hope that ours never leave the yard! So wait, do they not use the perches that you made??? Because that is my next project.

They very much use their perches and elevated house. My hen hatched her first clutch out of there this spring and is now laying another clutch.








quick edit; I've now put another hedge log on the high perch directly in front of the house. They prefer it over the hand rail I originally used.

 

[retlaw]

So a turkey will hatch multiple clutches in a year even when the first batch survives?

 

[R2elk]

So a turkey will hatch multiple clutches in a year even when the first batch survives?

It depends on the turkey but yes a hen is capable of hatching two clutches a year. Usually this only happens if they lose the first hatch such as if the poults are taken away from them.

I did have one Royal Palm hen who turned her poults over to a second broody and was already laying eggs a week after her poults hatched.

 

[retlaw]

I did have one Royal Palm hen who turned her poults over to a second broody and was already laying eggs a week after her poults hatched.

wow, what a producer.

 

[RuzichFamily]

I pulled her first clutch right before they hatched.

 

[SqueakyRoseShalom]

They very much use their perches and elevated house. My hen hatched her first clutch out of there this spring and is now laying another clutch.


quick edit; I've now put another hedge log on the high perch directly in front of the house. They prefer it over the hand rail I originally used.

Sorry for delayed response- i am constantly humbled and honored by how busy my four kids keep me

. Anyhoo, THANKS FOR POSTING THE PHOTOS! You obviously received my brain fax! I love the elevated house!!! I'm definitely going to borrow that idea. Is it just for a broody hen or do any or all of the turkeys sleep in there? (If no, where do your turkeys sleep? We have several foxes in our neighborhood... ) Is that where she hatched her clutch? If yes, don't the poults fall out?!!! And how many eggs per week do your hens lay on average? I also love how you used the tree trunk to make the perch. I had already thought of the same thing. We have three trees that we just cut down to make lots of nice perches for our growing flock of sweet silly turkeys. Thanks for all the responses!!!!

 

[jbugw]

Sorry for delayed response- i am constantly humbled and honored by how busy my four kids keep me

. Anyhoo, THANKS FOR POSTING THE PHOTOS! You obviously received my brain fax! I love the elevated house!!! I'm definitely going to borrow that idea. Is it just for a broody hen or do any or all of the turkeys sleep in there? (If no, where do your turkeys sleep? We have several foxes in our neighborhood... ) Is that where she hatched her clutch? If yes, don't the poults fall out?!!! And how many eggs per week do your hens lay on average? I also love how you used the tree trunk to make the perch. I had already thought of the same thing. We have three trees that we just cut down to make lots of nice perches for our growing flock of sweet silly turkeys. Thanks for all the responses!!!!

I want to know too. Ours made their nest in the barn and as hard as we tried something still got to the eggs. The elevated house is really cool, don't know why we didn't think of it. We have elevated ducks houses and we elevated our chicken coop in the barn.

 

[RuzichFamily]

Sorry for delayed response- i am constantly humbled and honored by how busy my four kids keep me

. Anyhoo, THANKS FOR POSTING THE PHOTOS! You obviously received my brain fax! I love the elevated house!!! I'm definitely going to borrow that idea. Is it just for a broody hen or do any or all of the turkeys sleep in there? (If no, where do your turkeys sleep? We have several foxes in our neighborhood... ) Is that where she hatched her clutch? If yes, don't the poults fall out?!!! And how many eggs per week do your hens lay on average? I also love how you used the tree trunk to make the perch. I had already thought of the same thing. We have three trees that we just cut down to make lots of nice perches for our growing flock of sweet silly turkeys. Thanks for all the responses!!!!

Likewise about the delay. Busy busy busy with our kids too! To answer your first question; the only time that they get in the house is when she is broody or in severe winter storms I'll shut them up but they would prefer to perch outside even in the nastiest weather. They usually perch up in front of the house but lately they've been on the dog kennel

They really like the tree trunks as well, will get updated pics of one I put up high. Once she starts sitting I mark the day then right before the chicks hatch I bring them inside the house to hatch & brood. This will be my second clutch this year with this bird. My first had about 20 eggs but my old incubator failed and they died. I'd left 2 eggs for her so she wouldn't keep laying as she is a very prolific layer. As a short caveat, I just got her this spring from a friend and this is her second year laying. She lay approx. 30-35 eggs last year for him, spread between two clutches, but all were clear, don't think the jake turkey was yet a tom turkey if you catch my drift. Anyhow, she hatched the 2 eggs I'd left her to brood and to my surprise has begun laying another clutch! When laying, she gives me about 5-7 eggs a week. I'm just going to let her brood this clutch herself, I figure she deserves too, lol

I want to know too. Ours made their nest in the barn and as hard as we tried something still got to the eggs. The elevated house is really cool, don't know why we didn't think of it. We have elevated ducks houses and we elevated our chicken coop in the barn.

Thanks, I think they really like it and feel safe. I built it like that for a couple reasons. 1) wanted to keep the goats out 2) it is the turkeys natural instinct to perch and feel safe up high 3) had the house given to me and seemed the best option at the time

 

[RuzichFamily]

Took this before work this morning.

 

[jbugw]

How does the tire work out for you? Our girls shared their nest. They were actually really sweet looking when one would sleep the other would cover the sleeping hen with her wing. I didn't know they would do that.