Housing Question!

[MrsKemmerlin]

I'm in the process of planning for our next adventure and have the desire to raise free-range turkeys in our 'to-be' goat pasture. Anyone feel this would not be a wise choice? I would like to have their "coop" be a section within the goat barn.

Suggestions? Advice? Concerns?

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[feedman77]

I free range my turkeys. They have an 8 x8 coop and an open barn they can go in if they want. But they roam all day and sleep on top of s 4 foot fence at night or on top of barn and coop. Couldn't get them to go in all the time and they seem happiest outside.

I only got turkeys this spring so can't comment on what they Will do over the winter.

It sounds like your set up would work good.

 

[MrsKemmerlin]

Awesome! And thank you!

How about their laying? Do you know if they will lay in the same designated area such as a chicken?

I feel like from what I've read, they will be very laid back for the most part

 

[feedman77]

Mine since they free range will usually find a brush pile. Log or weed patch to lay in. I have not had them lay where chickens lay. But if you find the nest and take eggs they seem to keep laying in that location.

Kinda like easter daily.

Some other seem to just drop eggs where they are sstanding.

I have burbon red. Chocolates. Blue slates and royal palms. They are all laid back.

It could have just been mine. All were purchased from different breeders but I couldn't keep black spanish at home.

They might be half mile away at dark.

Bad to say but I lost all of them to predators

 

[MrsKemmerlin]

Good to know about the laying! Other than your black spanish being trouble makers, which of the breeds you still have seem to be your favorite, and why?

 

[feedman77]

My choice out of all would be royal palms. They to me seem to be easiest going. But they are a smaller turkey. But they are beautiful and I like there colors.

For a turkey to butcher I would say can't go wrong with burbon red or blue slate.

I started with a trio and before long had a whole flock. To me they were addictive. Turkeys have a totally different personality than my chickens.