Turkey Housing

[new2chickens2011]

Helloo,
I am thinking about getting 2 or 3 turkeys next year for the holidays.
What do you house your turkeys in? A turkey coop? Or do they even need a coop?

Thanks!!!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Some of my turkeys go in the chicken coop and roost with the chickens. The other turkeys fly on my 8ft tall chicken house and sleep on the top of it.

 

[aprille218]

My 4 turkey hens roost inside the chicken coop the tom "roosts" on the picnic table, yuck. Turkeys seem to be more sensitive to getting wet so should have somewhere to get out of the weather if they want. Make sure you have large doors on your buildings so they can get in.
Aprille

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

There is a similiar thraed at https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=602315

Here are some ideas I found on BYC.

Here is Frank Reese JR's Carport turkey coop. http://www.goodshepherdpoultryranch.com/Photos2.html Frank also has photos of free range turkey nests etc on his site.

P. Allen Smith's Cotton Trailer Coops. http://www.pallensmith.com

ETA: We can help with the carports; however, I have no idea where you can get a cotton wagon. We see a lot of them, but have never seen any for sale.

See photos of Carport Backyard Coops at these BYC threads:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=266912

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=233026

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=7926032


Here is some examples of a Carport Coop.

 

[extraordinaryfowl]

Quote:
How safe is that set up if you have lots of predators? Around here we have coyote, coons, possums, dogs, skunks and weasels. Electric netting is pretty effective, but the predators around here will still get through sometimes.

 

[Beth G.]

I have mine inside a pen with a coop and it is all covered ontop from a roof to help keep them from getting rain and snow. I also worried about pred's so that is why I have roosts inside the chicken pen. The kennel wire is bolted to two railroad ties buried in the ground. It seems to work and we built them their own indoor coop but, for some reason they want to be close to the chickens

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

We use the 2x4 horse fencing. Most predators have great difficulty getting through it.

Something like Non-Climb Horse Fence will work. The 60" should deter most predators. If predators are extreem I would suggest a carport with fencing all around including the gables. Use sheep or kennel panels for gates or build a frame and door.

We also use livestock guardian dogs (Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd). Predators dislike the dogs. The nighthawk or similiar red light will also help. Some are using the red LED rope flashing Christmas lights.

 

[extraordinaryfowl]

Thanks - What about weasels, can they get turkeys?

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Yep!

 

[extraordinaryfowl]

Quote:
do your dogs guard against them?