Some turkey questions

[jen5680]

Ok i am wondering if i get some turkeys and i don't have a cover in my fenced area are they all going to go flying up in the trees every night? If they do will they come back down into the fenced area or just fly to were ever they want? Are my neighbos going to be calling me to tell me to come my turkeys out of there yard or what?

If the answer to the above question is yes and i put a cover over my fenced are then were will they want to sleep if they can't fly up into a tree? Do i have to put something outside that they can fly up to sleep on or will they just go in the hen house and perch on one of the ladders?
Also how big does the door need to be that they go in and out of?
the size i have now is big enough for a large chicken but a turkey is soooo much larger than a chicken.

And last is there a breed that doesn't really want to fly up up and away? are there any kind that just like to hang out on the ground?

So what i need are non flying away yummy kind. any suggestions as to what breed i should get? oh and not to loud would be really good.
Thanks!!!

 

[longranger]

If you are looking for a meat bird that cannot fly well the broad breasted commercial varieties are the way to go. These are the market birds over 90% of us eat for the holidays. About all they want to do is eat and follow you around and poop and eat. They will grow real fast and won't live very long. In fact most are butchered between 4 and 6 months, otherwise you have huge turkey too big to fit in a normal oven that will eventually develop health problems.

Don't get one to be a long term pet.

 

[onthespot]

My two and a half month old bourbon reds can already jump/fly up on top of a six foot run... I'm just sayin'.... If you want to keep them in, clip their wings, or put a top on it.

 

[1-duckling]

Definitely broad breasted type for none flight. They have a fast turn around and delicious. My black Spanish, Rio Grand, and Narragansett all have preferred the trees to their roost before I trimmed a wing. I do have a 4 year old broad breasted as a pet (my first turkey) and she has developed very large feet. She gets around OK but has to sleep on the floor. She lays eggs but is too heavy and although she tries, she tends to break the eggs. I would never have another bb as a pet seeing how she can't be a mom, she can't keep up with the flock, and it looks like her feet give her a bit of trouble/discomfort when walking. I still love her.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

I have a broad-breasted bronze, three months old, and he and the Royal Palm fly up and sleep on a steel truss that is easily 20 feet up in the air. They jump on top of the chicken coop first, then up to the truss. When they fly off, they don't land on the coop first. And the BBB does not drop like a rock. He isn't close to being too heavy to fly. Hope he fattens up soon! Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

 

[ozark hen]

My Bourbon Reds are learning to go into the pen my dh just built for them at night. We herd them inside and close the gate. he has built roosts that are about five feet high and 8 feet high. It is enclosed solid on the north and west sides and fencing on the other two sides. It does have a cover over it. They seem to like it very much.
Here are pics of it being built and one pic is of the roosts inside.

Edited for spelling

 

[jen5680]

Quote:
so what breed is considered broad breasted?

 

[ozark hen]

so what breed is considered broad breasted?

Contact sandspoultry. they will tell you what you want to know.​

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
BBW/BBW Broad Breasted White/ Broad Breasted Bronze.
The Other are considered Heritage Breeds.
http://www.meyerhatchery.com/get_dept_59.htm

there are other Heritage breeds, and Wilds too, but those can definately fly.

I have Bourbon Reds/ Royal Palms, and when young they can definately fly, but if you clip one wing, they will stay in a 4 foot fence. My older birds have molted, and so far have not even attempted to fly over the fence.

 

[jen5680]

thanks!! I have my hubby talked into getting some so now i just gotta figure out what to get. so many choices!!!