Enough Space?

[KOTurkeyRanch]

How many turkeys can i comfortably house in a 10x20 barn? I have 3 adults now and some poults, but my dad said i can only keep around 3 additional poults for them to live comfortably. Well, they free range all day and only roost in the barn. Im thinking i could keep 6 or 7 poults to have around 9 or 10 adults live comfortably?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

As far as roost space 18 inches to 2 feet is more than enough. If they are outside ranging during the day that doesn't really figure in. Ours roost outside anyway, the hens only go into the houses to lay and sit. Space would be a problem if you have to confine them in there for any length of time - bad weather etc. I think 9 or 10 would be plenty of room.

Steve

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

Ok. Here in PA our winters get pretty bad, this year we had about 4 feet at one time! So in winter is really the only problem.

 

[poultryfan73]

Quote:
4 feet of snow sounds a bit more lol .

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

Quote:
4 feet of snow sounds a bit more lol .

Maybe 3 and a half feet....haha. It was such a task taking up the water to the cows and feed to the turkeys everyday. Thank God its summer!

 

[poultryfan73]

Quote:
4 feet of snow sounds a bit more lol .

Maybe 3 and a half feet....haha. It was such a task taking up the water to the cows and feed to the turkeys everyday. Thank God its summer!

Yeah id say... i hated slipping on the ice+ cooping up all my birds it was like prison to them!

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

I know! I had to dig about half an hour just to open up the door!

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

KO

They tolerate the winter very well too, just so you know. A lot of northern keepers still let them out in it. Consider this, yall have wild ones up there i know, they stay right out in it. We dont get like that, but like Steve was saying, ours never go inside either they roost right out in the weather, rain, snow (when we get it) even hurricanes, they wont even look at the houses in their aviaries, just perch on the out dorr roost and bunker down

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

I know what you mean but they would get stuck in it! It was funny to watch them try to walk but get stuck in the snow. Off topic, but doesnt snow and ice kill off bumblefoot? I heard the cold kills the staph..?