i need help

[Rookie Raiser]

i have 19 chickens (15 RIR, 3 Barred Rocks, and 1 Australorp) not free ranged and this spring i was thinking of getting some back yard turkeys. my biggest question is do they HAVE to be free ranged? i do have coyotes that come around at least once a week, raccoons, cats, and dogs that come around which is why i dont free range my chickens (i have not lost ANY chickens at all). if they have to be free ranged than i cant get them because we have too many predators and if they DONT have to be free ranged what is the MINIMUM space they can have. i was not going to get very many (one tom and 2 or 3 hens) so i was hoping i have enough space for them. also, what is the best breed for eating. ANY advise over ANYTHING would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Rookie Raiser]

Anyone??

 

[chickenneighbor]

You might want to describe your current setup, i.e. How big is the coop, how big is the run, are you getting meat birds or pets, etc.

 

[Rookie Raiser]

my chicken coop is a 4x8 on the floor with roosts and 2 nesting boxes attatched to a 10x15 run surrounded by a large chicken wire encloser for the occasional outing (we have many predators on the ground AND in the sky so we can't free range) i was wondering if getting another 10x15 run and adding a leen to would be ok for turkeys. we also have wild turkeys around us so it is another reason we wouldnt free range them.

 

[ivan3]

Hi, we currently have 5 in a run 30'x40'. we use 6 ft. 1"x2" welded wire fencing. Once they are about a year old they are less likely to fly out (and they can clear 6ft. fencing at 2.5-3 wks of age), though hens, of any age, intent on nesting in unauthorized locations, will continue to fly out. With pred load described it would probably be a good idea to plan on putting up flight netting over run. We put up `daytime' outdoor roosts (3ft. 2"x2"s) in corners of run and they seem to be content with that option (rather than the roof of their shed or the oaks and hickories). We put up an 7'x8' shed for them (lock down at night - original human raised brood taught to go in at night - and those hens raised offspring to do the same). No reason a lean-to couldn't be used if there was an acceptable roost under it. Only heritage turk to avoid if meat is paramount are Royal Palms. Bourbons/Slates are acceptable. Shed & little flyers: outdoor run roost: You might consider paging through this reference: http://www.albc-usa.org/downloads.html