Indoor turkeys

[andrewhill]

I want to raise a few turkeys in a suburb. I live in michigan so I have the right to do so. (Right to farm act) I am buying a 10x12 greenhouse to use. How many midget whites could I have in there?

 

[retlaw]

You are going to have a few issues.

Green house will get very hot in the summer.
Toms could drive your neighbor crazy.
When a full grown tom gobbles in a coup you have to cover your ears.
Toms can be heard as far as a mile away.

 

[andrewhill]

Good to know, glad I'm only keeping 1 tom. The greenhouse will get a couple panels replaced with screen in summer I just want to save money so today's coop is tomorrow's orangery.

 

[andrewhill]

I've never had chickens or any poultry. Has anyone done the zip tie around the neck to keep a rooster from crowing and if so does it work on toms?

 

[jim c]

I have only one tom and he really doesn't gobble that often. so go for it. I keep 2 midget whites in a 8x8 coop . so figure 64 sq ft and a coop of 120 sq ft like you talking would hold 4-5 just fine. I would go with 4 hens and on tom if I had a coop that size. more room the better.

 

[andrewhill]

Oh and my neighbors dogs drive me crazy (3:00am barking) so I see it as he has a right to have dogs and I can have some turkeys. I've never called for a noise complaint and I'm expecting he won't either. We never talk though just have a I'll keep to myself understanding.

 

[chknoodles]

OMG...has someone really done this...put a zip tie on their rooster's neck????? No way!!!

 

[retlaw]

OMG...has someone really done this...put a zip tie on their rooster's neck????? No way!!!

Sounds harsh.

 

[retlaw]

A turkey mostly only gobbles when they are disturbed like a load noise.
But when you have a flock of them and they gang gobble look out.

 

[chknoodles]

A turkey mostly only gobbles when they are disturbed like a load noise.
But when you have a flock of them and they gang gobble look out.

Yes, we have 9 (3 Toms and 6 Hens)...the boys love to gobble..they gobble at the dog, the cat, any car driving by, the sound of our front door opening, if they hear a radio playing they really gobble, and when we whistle..they gobble in response. But I like that sound!