Question about space...

[brandislee]

I have 8 turkeys (BBB), and I'm trying to figure out my pen configuration. I ordered my turkeys and broiler chicks at the same time from our local feed store, but when I did the guy told me the turkeys would come later... but they came the same time as the broilers.

I have two tractors- one is 10 x 10 and I'm going to put my 25 broiler chicks in it once they get big enough (I move them out at 2 weeks, with a heat lamp inside a dog house until they get too big for that). The other tractor is 11 x 6. Is that big enough for 8 BBB JUST until the beginning of June (they'll be 8 weeks old) when I can move them to the 10 x 10 tractor that will be their home until we process them? I'll start free ranging them as soon as I feel they're big enough (my guess would be around 3-4 weeks). Also, everyone says turkeys are super sensitive- should I keep them in the brooder longer, or I can I put them out on grass with a dog house and heat lamp like I do the broilers?

Thanks- I know these housing/space questions get repetitive and boring. I did search, but all I could find was how much space they'll ultimately need, which they'll get in the bigger tractor.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GotCoop]

I have a similar arrangement. I have 25 freedom ranger broilers in a 10x10 tractor; 8 midget white turkeys 6 1/2 weeks in a transition pen in the barn, and 6 slates a week old in the broader. These are my first turkeys, l am following the general consensus to wait 6-8 weeks before establishing them outside. We have fowl pox here and the vaccine given at 8 weeks. Trying to hold them in until they are vaccinated. Then they go into an 8x14 tractor,then a combo of tractor and free range once they know where home is.

 

[GotCoop]

And i think the 11x6 pen should work for your transition for the 8 when they are 4-8 weeks.

 

[brandislee]

How big are they at 8 weeks? I don't really see my brooder being big enough, and I don't think a pen inside would be any healthier than a pen outside on fresh grass. My only inside option is in our dusty dark shed... I don't know, I just don't see that being better, esp since it, like pretty much every inch of my property, is "contaminated" by chickens since they free range and will regularly hang out in the shed when I leave the door opened. Is fowl pox the same as blackhead, or is there yet ANOTHER disease carried by chickens that kills turkeys that I need to know about?

 

[GotCoop]

The BBBs will mature faster than mine, but I still think at 4 weeks an 6x11 pen would work (maybe someone with BBBs will weigh in). The fowl pox is mosquito borne. My chickens had it last year, no ill effects for them...but it can be lethal for turkeys. I'm cautious just because I know its in our area.

You have to work the best accomdations available, I agree outside is better than over crowding in dark dusty conditions. Ours is a large horse barn with good ventilation, but isolated from the chickens.