Square footage per bird

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Yes one tom can cover 5 hens. But should something happen to your one tom you will be out of luck until you can find another. A backup is always a good idea.

Steve

 

[SED]

Would 2 toms be ok with 5 hens. Would they fight? Would a 12x12 be big enough for 7 total?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

The toms will fight to establish the pecking order but after that they should be ok. Myself I would give them more room than 12 x 12.

Steve

 

[SED]

What size pen would you build for 7 turkeys? Unfortunately thye will not be allowed to free range because of predators.

 

[ByN8ureHomstead]

Quote:
I am building a pen for my 7 turkeys. The roost is 4'x8' 6' tall, the run is 8'x25'. I have not decided if i will let mine out to roam. Though the winter I will have 3 to 4 turkeys.

Michael

 

[J Ame]

Not to nickpick, but feet square is not the same as square feet. Just for ease of communicating, 5 feet square means 5x5, 5 square feet means about 2.23x2.23.
Penn State Extension says "When poults are from eight weeks to market age, provide three to five square feet of confined housing space per bird, depending on the weight to which they will be grown." http://extension.psu.edu/business/a...-and-game-birds/small-flock-turkey-production
And I think they mean square feet, or 2.23'x2.23'.
Another forum says "My 3 BBW's last year were raised ina 8X12 covered dog pen. It was fine for them. They will produce about 2 lbs of poop for every 1 lb of feed they take in. You have to stay on top of it or the smell will get real strong in a hurry." http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/livestock-forums/poultry/311458-searching-turkey-poult-info.html
Sometimes I am hearing 20-100 square feet per bird, but that sounds like they are doing free range.

J