Raising turkeys in Tractor question.

[JB8907]

I will be raising roughly 18 turkeys in a tractor for Thanksgiving starting in about a month when they hatch. They are Narragansett turkeys. What kind of space do they need and hope flighty can thia breed be. I've done chickens before and mine do great in a tractor. They free range all day and put themselves to bed every night. Will the turkeys perform similarly or will they require more attention, supervision or should they stay in there constantly?

 

[R2elk]

I will be raising roughly 18 turkeys in a tractor for Thanksgiving starting in about a month when they hatch. They are Narragansett turkeys. What kind of space do they need and hope flighty can this breed be. I've done chickens before and mine do great in a tractor. They free range all day and put themselves to bed every night. Will the turkeys perform similarly or will they require more attention, supervision or should they stay in there constantly?

I consider that coop space for adult turkeys should be at the very least 10 sq. ft. per adult turkey with run space a minimum of 50 sq. ft. per adult bird. My turkeys get between 500 to 600 sq. ft. of run space per adult bird plus they also get to free range on 2 acres on a daily basis.

Young turkeys of the Narragansett variety (the breed is Turkey) can fly very well. Turkeys are not really suited to a tractor and prefer to roost at night. With enough training they can be taught to return to their "home" area. They should have more supervision than chickens since they can turn into juvenile delinquents and find many different ways of getting in trouble.

Once my turkeys are big enough to not attract certain predators, I let them roost outside in an area protected from the prevailing wind. I have my roosts staggered from 3' to 6' high.

 

[JB8907]

I consider that coop space for adult turkeys should be at the very least 10 sq. ft. per adult turkey with run space a minimum of 50 sq. ft. per adult bird.

Young turkeys of the Narragansett variety (the breed is Turkey) can fly very well. Turkeys are not really suited to a tractor and prefer to roost at night. With enough training they can be taught to return to their "home" area. They should have more supervision than chickens since they can turn into juvenile delinquents and find many different ways of getting in trouble.

Once my turkeys are big enough to not attract certain predators,

I am aware that the turkeys can fly and will like to roost. So can I train them to go into a coop/tractor at night like chockens do and free range all day not in a run?

How old is enough to deter predators?

 

[R2elk]

I am aware that the turkeys can fly and will like to roost. So can I train them to go into a coop/tractor at night like chickens do and free range all day not in a run?

How old is enough to deter predators?

Mine are usually at least 3 months old before I let them spend the night outside.

 

[JB8907]

Mine are usually at least 3 months old before I let them spend the night outside.

What variety of turkey do you have?
Will they be OK with my mature chickens until they are big enough?
How should I house them if you don't recommend a tractor, I want them to be on fresh ground daily.

 

[R2elk]

What variety of turkey do you have?
Will they be OK with my mature chickens until they are big enough?
How should I house them if you don't recommend a tractor, I want them to be on fresh ground daily.

I currently have Blue Slate and Sweetgrass turkeys but have had Bourbon Reds, Royal Palms, BBBs and BBWs in the past.

My turkeys get to roam a 2 acre area daily. I make no effort to control what parts they are using.

I could see a tractor working to control their movements for a few turkeys but can't envision how big a tractor would be required for 18 at a time and still give them all sufficient "personal space". Any that get picked on will suffer greatly without somewhere to get away from the attackers.

Perhaps build a coop/run area that provides protection from the prevailing wind and shade from the sun with the run area covered with flight netting. Roosts at staggered heights from 2' to 6' high. Make this as the only area that they have feed and water. If they find it a desirable place, they will return to the roosts in the evening.

 

[JB8907]

I currently have Blue Slate and Sweetgrass turkeys but have had Bourbon Reds, Royal Palms, BBBs and BBWs in the past.

My turkeys get to roam a 2 acre area daily. I make no effort to control what parts they are using.

I could see a tractor working to control their movements for a few turkeys but can't envision how big a tractor would be required for 18 at a time and still give them all sufficient "personal space". Any that get picked on will suffer greatly without somewhere to get away from the attackers.

Perhaps build a coop/run area that provides protection from the prevailing wind and shade from the sun with the run area covered with flight netting. Roosts at staggered heights from 2' to 6' high. Make this as the only area that they have feed and water. If they find it a desirable place, they will return to the roosts in the evening.

We don't get crazy wind where I am located. And there's woods on 3 sides of property so the sun is never really that bad. What if the tractor was big enough for 10' Sq per bird and they could range in the day door open for them to come and go as they please? I will only feed them in there and any treats will be given in there also. Will they potentially invade the chickens tractor also? If they do should I just move them back to their's?

 

[JB8907]

Mine are usually at least 3 months old before I let them spend the night outside.

Are they in a coop or are they outside free range?

 

[R2elk]

Are they in a coop or are they outside free range?

The young are kept in a coop during the night until they are big enough to be with the adult flock. The adult flock has access to the coop where the food and water is during the daytime. The adult flock is kept in the run during the night and get to free range during the daytime. The exception is now when they are not getting to free range so that I don't have to hunt all over the place for turkey nests when I gather the eggs for incubation.

 

[JB8907]

How fast are your sweet grass before they reach a decent weight for processing?