Not a first time question I'm sure but

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

They are various sizes, average about 10 x 10 I guess. Enough for a couple hens and tom.

Steve

 

[Unclebean]

Quote:
Is this just a fenced area or is there a structure with nest boxes?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

The breeding pens are just fenced with a low roost. We just pick the eggs up off the ground, if you have nest boxes the hens will go broody after awhile.

Steve

 

[NYRIR]

Ok, after some more research I see what Steve is saying about the roosts for turkeys...I guess it's just hard for me to think of them out in the cold even more than my chickens are! My DH has already come up with a plan in his head (of course!) and I think we're going to forge ahead!
So my next question is, how much of a loss should I expect if I order 15?I've read a lot on here about how touchy the poults can be...scares me a bit

Also if I have 15 and want to keep them until 7 weeks in a brooder...how much space would I need to keep them in ONE spot for the duration? They would be Narr,BR,and BS.

Steve, I had said I only wanted like 3 hens and a tom,but you suggested (good advice) to have more than one in case of a loss.Would 2 toms and 4 hens be ok? Or would there be problems?
Thanks!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

You are right, shipped poults can be touchy. It really depends on how their shipping went as to how stressed they are when you get them. Last year there was people here on BYC that were loosing them one by one and others that did ok. There is no way to tell. The biggest thing is get them eating and drinking and watch for cocci. We wrote an article for Mother Earth News that will help you get started.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/The-Happy-Homesteader/Raising-Turkey-Poults.aspx

When you are brooding them give them as much space as you can, being crowded will cause all sorts of problems from pecking to sickness. As they grow you don't want to put them outside until they are fully feathered - the last place they feather is on the breast/underside. And keep them dry. A cold and wet poult equals a dead poult in short order. I always thought that was the start of the old wives tale that they look up and drown in the rain. It was more like they got cold and wet, piled up and smoothered.

2 toms and 4 hens will be fine. One tom will take over and be the alpha and they will do fine. On turkey mating it's hens choice, they aren't like chickens.

Steve

 

[NYRIR]

Thanks for the link to the article..I also just ordered Storey's Guide to Raising Turkeys.I ordered 8 Narr,6 BR,and 4 BS. I know they(Cackle) only hatch Mar-Jul,so that gives me plenty of time to set up the roosting area.I will follow all your suggestions and hope they thrive!Thank you for all your help!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

keep the questions coming as you have them and we will help all we can.

Steve

 

[NYRIR]

Thank you sooo much! I always feel a bit hesitant to ask to many questions! Will do