Refusing to roost

[CDennis]

3 turkeys, I have had a little over 3 weeks. They have a beautiful roost area under an enclosed roof to keep them safe and dry. 1 insists on sleeping on the barn roof (which I am ok w/ at least she is roosted) the tom and other hen keep "roosting" on a 1 foot log pile in the pasture not exactly what I had in mind. So every night I go out and get them both and put them on their roost. How long will this battle continue!?!?!?! At least the tom roosts good when I place him, the hen is a fight and it normally takes me a few tries to get her to stay (I don't think she is very bright). Should I just give up and assume they will find shelter if they want it or keep trying every night. And its late when I move them (1am most nights) so they are fast asleep. Also, I have not built nest boxes yet for the hens, anyone have crafty re-purposed nest boxes for turkey ideas they are willing to share. Thanks -Cortney

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Give them a roost outside. None of my turkeys (wild strain or domestic)will go into a barn/shed/coop or anything like that. They prefer to be outside on a roost, weather bad or not they like it. Try That, higher the better for protection purposes. In the end, they are going to roost where they want. I dont think you can train the otherwise.

 

[CDennis]

The roost is outside, its just attached to the barn so its covered by a metal roof, all sides are open so I thought they may like it. But I will build more in the field and see if they like that better, right now they are choosing to basically roost on the ground which is not safe at all.

 

[longranger]

Mine will only roost in a structure if it has an open wall and high roost.

 

[Portia]

Seems that turkeys like open air and the ability to see what is around them. They like to be high up, and I mean high. Mine refuse to roost under a roof.

 

[Crazy Chicken Fever]

All 4 of mine use to roost on a 6 ft fence in our side yard. Like you I was worried about them being out in the weather. Once it started getting cold I waited until dusk and went outside with corn. I would shake the corn and pour it onto the barn floor. After about 3 days of doing this they learned to roost on the rafters in the barn which is awesome because I can close them in and keep them safe.

Maybe if you pour some corn on the ground under the roost a few nights in a row they will start going there in the evening to meet you for corn and decide to roost there as well.

Good luck

 

[chickenannie]

I would guess your hen is actually 'intelligent' -- she just doesn't WANT to go inside.

That's how mine behave when they don't want to do something I want them to do.