How tall do turkeys get?

[winteree]

Good plan. Give them a perch 3-4 feet off the ground (if possible) in the coop and give them options outside and let them decide. But note that they actually nest/brood on the ground.

I would bet that they will choose the outside posts but during some weather they may appreciate the inside option. Also, I didn't mention and you may already know - toms cannot fly even remotely as high as the hens (I'm sure I'm going to hell for laughing at my tom trying to get to the roof from the truck cab and faceplanting into the side of the house). But, unless you've clipped him and trimmed his spurs, the tom is going to be completely able (and eager) to defend himself against mid-sized predators (coyotes/wolves/bears are a different story). Especially if he already has some height.

Basically I think you have the right idea.

well the good thing is i have a old wooden ladder i have just been given the OK to butcher so that shouldn't be a problem one roosting pole at 2 feet the rest at 3 or 4. but the big thing that scares me is the stray dogs and coyotes around here i've already had to shoot a rott mix this last year so their coop and run are gong to be inclosed top to bottom the egg's aren't won't be due to hatch for a month so i have time.

 

[EeyoreD]

Ooh, you may have some problems. Poults can't jump up even 6 inches for at least a month. They're either going to be on the ground (with their mothers) or in the coop. If you can, encourage them to stay in the coop. If you can't, post on craigslist and see if you can find some coyote trappers. Up north they seem to only want to trap in winter when the pelts are rich but (based on your location text I'm assuming Texas?) in other areas there may just be bounties.

 

[winteree]

Ooh, you may have some problems. Poults can't jump up even 6 inches for at least a month. They're either going to be on the ground (with their mothers) or in the coop. If you can, encourage them to stay in the coop. If you can't, post on craigslist and see if you can find some coyote trappers. Up north they seem to only want to trap in winter when the pelts are rich but (based on your location text I'm assuming Texas?) in other areas there may just be bounties.

i have never approved of fur trapping and we have to be careful not to shoot anything out of season or the rangers out of the wood work to give you a ticket. But we do trap several dozen animals every year and release them about 200-300 miles away from our house. But their isn't much we can do about the stray dogs. you shoot them you end up a menace, you do nothing and get mauled you end up a victim it really is backwards. but don't worry about the roosting poles i was talking for adult birds. i always start the babys off on "starter" roosting poles about a 2-8inches off the ground like this one