Not a first time question I'm sure but

[NYRIR]

How much space inside a coop do you need for 4 full grown turkeys? And how much run space if NOT free-ranged?They probably will be but I want to make sure of what I'd need should that become a problem. I want turkeys but want to make sure I am well-equipped before I get them so I need to know (1) whats recommended for space and (2) how many hens per tom?(I was thinking 3:1) (3) If I want to breed them for meat,how much space to allow for hatches to grow to size? (4) What is a "typical"hatch size if there is one...
Thank you for answering in advance...don't know what I'd do without BYC....

 

[Olive Hill]

What kind of turkeys? BB or Heritage?

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

The size does matter. Are they Midget Whites or Broad Breasted Bronze?

 

[NYRIR]

Sorry...forgot to mention....we want Narraganssets....hope that helps!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

If you are going to pen them the more space you give the better. If they are crowded they will peck at each other, turn the area into a mud hole. Coop space has never been a factor since they don't use it. The hens will go in to lay eggs and for that I have 18" square nest boxes. One of the best "houses" we have is a modified range roost. They will use that and the hanging feeder under keeps the feed dry. If you look in the right nest box there are 2 turkey hens in there.

The next version is bigger, we had to close in the sides after an owl started grabbing chickens off the roost.

We keep 5 hens to one tom. if you are going to have a small flock I would recommend at least 2 toms. If you only have one and something happens to him you are out of the turkey biz. Ours lay around 20 eggs before they start to go broody.

Steve

 

[NYRIR]

Hi...I've never seen one like that...really neat! I would worry around here though not having predator proof fencing.My yard fence is only 4 foot high and I don't have any electric fencing (yet!).So far since I acquired the chickens last spring,we've only had 2 hawk attacks from the same hawk.I live right around the corner from an eagle breeding center.He released a hawk that he had rehabbed and it hung around a couple of days.Not only hawks,owls and bald eagles we also have weasel,martins,black bear,fox,coy dogs and such around though.So if I build a "coop" for night time,how much space should I give per bird?I see the nest boxes are 18".I do only want a few hens due to space though.I have an acre of property and a flock of 34 chickens.The chickens have about 3/4 of an acre to roam.I also have 6 ducks that are in an 18x25 run and they stay in there.The turkeys would most likely be roaming with the chickens.So given that info,how many do you think I can support without totally ruining my yard?

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

wow steve your set-up is really nice!

 

[Unclebean]

Quote:
Steve,

Does your turkey breeding happen in these fenced areas or do you have a different set-up for breeding?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Each variety has their own area to "live" in and are moved to breeding pens in season. Also (believe it or not) we do have a few pens with no turkeys in them, they usually have peafowl in those but double as breeding pens.

Steve

 

[Unclebean]

Quote:
Steve,

Do you also move some turkeys to smaller pens during the breeding season? If so do you have pictures of your breeding pens or can you describe them to me? Thanks for all your help!