Locked up turkeys ok?

[Lahti35]

I've been reading that turkeys like to free range... who doesn't I guess!

We have neighbors that have dogs that run loose and another neighbor that would not appreciate them in their yard at all. If I give them a nice big run, say 25x50 feet, would 4-5 Bourbon Red turkeys be happy or am I just going to be creating a miserable environment for them?

 

[WalnutHill]

I've been reading that turkeys like to free range... who doesn't I guess!

We have neighbors that have dogs that run loose and another neighbor that would not appreciate them in their yard at all. If I give them a nice big run, say 25x50 feet, would 4-5 Bourbon Red turkeys be happy or am I just going to be creating a miserable environment for them?

They'd be happy. How do you plan to keep them in? Bird netting over the top?

 

[Lahti35]

Yeah, the bird netting looks like it would do the trick.

My other neighbor on the opposite side of the people with the loose dogs has chickens and has had some issues so he keeps his locked up for safety. The people with the dogs live two houses down from me but I've found their dogs in our yard.

Plus we've got raccoons and a hawk that lives next door... Its a rough 'hood!

I was going to get a bunch of poults but the more I think about it I might be better off just finding an adult pair and letting them do their thing so I've got some large birds in the run instead of just a bunch of tasty snacks running around.

 

[WalnutHill]

Yeah, the bird netting looks like it would do the trick.

My other neighbor on the opposite side of the people with the loose dogs has chickens and has had some issues so he keeps his locked up for safety. The people with the dogs live two houses down from me but I've found their dogs in our yard.

Plus we've got raccoons and a hawk that lives next door... Its a rough 'hood!

I was going to get a bunch of poults but the more I think about it I might be better off just finding an adult pair and letting them do their thing so I've got some large birds in the run instead of just a bunch of tasty snacks running around.

A trio or quad (1 tom 3 hens) would be ideal for the size. With that many, you could afford some hatching and brooding losses, and should have extra poults to market if you want. Heritage turkeys don't cost that much to feed over the winter, I kept 4 and added a fifth in early spring (2 toms, 3 hens, 2 pens so there is always an odd man out).

Toms are always easy to find in spring so having only one tom isn't too risky.