Frostbite threat?

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Ever since moved my four turkeys from a tractor to my big dog run (with turkey/doggie door into an indoor shelter) they have insisted on spending the night roosting on top of the 6' fence rather than taking advantage of any of the wooden roosts I've provided for them. I gave up trying to get them to stop several weeks ago and just have it as part of my morning routine to let whatever turkey(s) has flown out of the run rather than into the run back in. Once inside the run, they stay there until I let them out to free-range during the afternoon for an hour or so.

Anyway, we are expecting our first hard freeze this weekend and I wonder whether they will be injured by roosting up on top of the metal dog run due to to the cold.

If you think the roosting on freezing metal is a threat to their feet, do you have any suggestions for getting them to choose another roost?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

you could cover the top with bird netting or a heavy duty tarp, not sure about the weight of the snow if u like them up there , add a board on top with some zip ties. does the old tractor fit inside the run?

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

The run is about 50'X75', so would be impossible to cover with a tarp. I actually plan on butchering these birds before winter sets in all the way. Do you think the threat of frostbite is severe enough that I should move the butchering date forward a bit?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

well frost bit toes is not gonna change the taste so i guess i would just be prepared for it and butcher early if needed enjoy!

 

[Lagerdogger]

No need to worry about frostbite. My turkeys stay outside all winter in Minnesota. They are very hardy. Unless you down in the -30 to -50 range, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Haida]

I wouldn't worry unless it starts sleeting or raining freezing rain and being very windy. They are very hardy, but I get nervous in these conditions because I don't want their feathers to get ruffled and then the rain and ice to melt on their skin. Dunno if it actually happens, but I don't want to find out. Granted, in the winter, I lock them inside their coop (its fairly large) because I don't want them running around in the snow.

I spent 7 years in Colorado (mostly Colo. Sprgs, Denver, Strasburg, Dillon/Silverthorne, Glenwood Sprgs) and I don't think you have much to worry about. Its so dry there, the snow is so fluffy and light... I think I only saw ice a few times. I'm in upstate NY now and it is night and day difference!! Its so humid here, if it starts snowing, everything becomes wet and icy... its just a mess! I think turkeys would definitely do better out there than here... or at least, I would do better out there than here, LOL!

With my guys, though, it seems like once they've picked a spot to roost, you can't change their minds. They're so stubborn, oh my gosh.

Hope this helps!

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Thanks, it was their feet on the metal fencing that had me the most worried. I trimmed their wing feathers and now they are coming into their covered area to roost at night. Hopefully this Saturday it will all be a moot point anyway and it will be freezer burn, rather than frost bite that I have to worry about.