Turkey Coop 101

[nickjam]

I have seen many posts on chicken coops, but few on turkeys and those that exist are mainly cold weather options. I am raising meat turkeys and have a run built, old trampoline. In the next couple of days I am designing and building a turkey "coop" for night time protection. It will be attached to the run and will house 13 - 8 week old turkeys in sunny California. Size? Roost construction? Lamps or no? (Area Code 95363) (Central Valley) Looking for a little local help to a limited input problem before I experiment with 13 lives...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not in California. I personally would construct something that will provide protection from the elements, usually a 3 sided shed in warmer climates with the back facing the prevailing winds.

It's recommended to not put roosts up very high for meat turkeys, I'm assuming you are referring to broad breasted, they can have leg problems from rapid growth, so keeping the roosts low is a good idea. I wouldn't go higher that 1-2 feet.

Turkeys can get hot, so provide plenty of shade.

At 8 weeks your turkey poults in your climate should not need extra heat. I would check with who you are getting them from.