Please critique my turkey coop

[fat brown hen]

This pallet/hoop coop is a work in progress. Dimensions are 10'wx12'lx10'h. Whole thing is wrapped in 2x4 welded wire, with hardware cloth on the bottom 24" and extending outwards on the ground.

Need ideas for roosts. I read that turkeys don't like to share a roost, so I was thinking of installing perpendicular sticks (dotted red lines). How much roost space do turkeys need, front and back? Do they like to roost next to a solid wall, or do they prefer a window seat?

Also, how many heritage turkeys could comfortably live in this coop, provided they have a large pasture for daytime use?

Any feedback is much appreciated!

 

[R2elk]

This pallet/hoop coop is a work in progress. Dimensions are 10'wx12'lx10'h. Whole thing is wrapped in 2x4 welded wire, with hardware cloth on the bottom 24" and extending outwards on the ground.

Need ideas for roosts. I read that turkeys don't like to share a roost, so I was thinking of installing perpendicular sticks (dotted red lines). How much roost space do turkeys need, front and back? Do they like to roost next to a solid wall, or do they prefer a window seat?

Also, how many heritage turkeys could comfortably live in this coop, provided they have a large pasture for daytime use?

Any feedback is much appreciated!

View attachment 3878634

My roosts are at staggered heights from 3' to 6' tall. They need to be out away from walls so they have easy access to them.

 

[fat brown hen]

My roosts are at staggered heights from 3' to 6' tall. They need to be out away from walls so they have easy access to them.

How far out from the wall? And how much runway is needed to land from a 6' roost?

 

[Molpet]

Do you get snow? People have had CP hoop coops collapse with a heavy wet snow. I braced both ends of 8x24 ft with a 2x4 ridge down the center. I have 2x4 roosts about 18" from the wall on both sides on that coop, attached to bracing. I also have three 8x8 CP coops and the 2 roosts are stuck in the CP about 18 inches apart.
The raccoons and weasels have left foot prints on top of the coops and tore the tarp on one. I have CP then HWC then 2x4 field fence over that. Held together by hog rings

 

[R2elk]

How far out from the wall? And how much runway is needed to land from a 6' roost?

At least a full body length out from the wall. I have seen them fly as much as 30' getting down from 6' tall roosts but they usually go a minimum of 10'.

 

[fat brown hen]

Do you get snow? People have had CP hoop coops collapse with a heavy wet snow. I braced both ends of 8x24 ft with a 2x4 ridge down the center. I have 2x4 roosts about 18" from the wall on both sides on that coop, attached to bracing. I also have three 8x8 CP coops and the 2 roosts are stuck in the CP about 18 inches apart.
The raccoons and weasels have left foot prints on top of the coops and tore the tarp on one. I have CP then HWC then 2x4 field fence over that. Held together by hog rings

No snow here. How many turkeys roost on your roosts that are stuck in the CP? That sounds easy enough...

 

[Molpet]

No snow here. How many turkeys roost on your roosts that are stuck in the CP? That sounds easy enough...

Depends on how they get along. I have had hens that run everyone off all the roosts. Usually about 2ft apart for adults, poults are up against everyone

 

[fat brown hen]

Depends on how they get along. I have had hens that run everyone off all the roosts. Usually about 2ft apart for adults, poults are up against everyone

Just had a thought. Have there been any problems using a 2x4 to support the weight of adult turkeys? 8' is a wide span, and I assume you place the beam wide-side up?

 

[Molpet]

Just had a thought. Have there been any problems using a 2x4 to support the weight of adult turkeys? 8' is a wide span, and I assume you place the beam wide-side up?

so far there was one that bowed with the grain, flipped it over, It just had chickens on it when it bowed and another that twisted like an airplane propeller


I had bought 2nds marked down 70%
wide side up

 

[R2elk]

Just had a thought. Have there been any problems using a 2x4 to support the weight of adult turkeys? 8' is a wide span, and I assume you place the beam wide-side up?

I use 4" diameter corral poles. A 2"x4" x8" with wide side up will bow and possibly break with the weight of an adult tom in the center of it.