first time raising turkeys

[mooman]

Good psyc up post! I'm a little nervous that I'm getting in over my head. I will attempt to free range the birds, but will have the pen set up in case it doesn't work. (predator losses, birds wandering too far.....)

I was thinking that the size of the pen and quality of forage in it would keep them from attempting an escape. (1,000sq ft for 10 birds, will be planted with annual forage crops and allowed to grow up before releasing turkeys) The posts will be 6ft tall, and if I have to I can string wire above the 4ft fence. We will see.

 

[chicks for better health]

Quote:
The turkeys don't hurt the plants???

 

[nstamper2000]

We have two turkeys a tom and a hen. They are the BB bronze. We keep them in with our 2 barred rocks and 2 black giant hens and our roo. We also have them in about 400 ft of fencing though so they can range. Our tom is huge. He weighs about 45 lbs. I would recommend a really big area for your turkeys especially if you are going to get that many. You are going to love your turkeys. They are the sweetest things on our farm. Our hen which we call mama even though she can't have babies, will come running to us like a dog and follow us around everywhere. All she wants is to be petted. And our tom aka big boy struts continuously. It is hilarious. He is such a stud. He thinks he is king of the farm. LOL. Let me warn you you will become very attached!!!