Turkeys 101?

[JnAP]

Can't speak for opossums but raccoons will kill turkeys. Skunks and coons will steal their eggs. I would guess the same for possums.

I do not like using chicken wire around turkeys because it can cut them. For my run I use 2"x4"x6' welded wire.

Thank you for the quick reply! When you say welded wire, you mean like the goat fencing?

 

[R2elk]

Thank you for the quick reply! When you say welded wire, you mean like the goat fencing?

I mean welded wire.

2"x4"x6' welded wire

 

[Echelontheory101]

I mean welded wire.

2"x4"x6' welded wire

You dont have any issues with raccoons reaching through the welded wire and pulling heads off? I have weasels where I live and I know they'd love the chickens but wondering if a weasel would go after a turkey given their larger size? I always have a roll of hardware cloth around so I suppose I could just use it and play it safe but do love how much cheaper welded wire is haha

 

[R2elk]

You dont have any issues with raccoons reaching through the welded wire and pulling heads off? I have weasels where I live and I know they'd love the chickens but wondering if a weasel would go after a turkey given their larger size? I always have a roll of hardware cloth around so I suppose I could just use it and play it safe but do love how much cheaper welded wire is haha

I shot a raccoon inside the run this year and have seen proof of raccoons having been inside the run.

Nothing gets inside my coop once it is closed for the night.

My adult turkeys roost at 6' high. Their roosts are not near the run fence so no danger of
something reaching through the fence.

Young poults are kept inside until they are big enough to not be a target for the Great Horned Owls.

Hardware cloth is fine but turkeys need a big run.

 

[Echelontheory101]

I shot a raccoon inside the run this year and have seen proof of raccoons having been inside the run.

Nothing gets inside my coop once it is closed for the night.

My adult turkeys roost at 6' high. Their roosts are not near the run fence so no danger of
something reaching through the fence.

Young poults are kept inside until they are big enough to not be a target for the Great Horned Owls.

Hardware cloth is fine but turkeys need a big run.

Awesome thank you! Im thinking of doing a half dozen meat turkeys next year but trying to plan what they'll need for space as I dont want to put them in with my chickens, contemplating a mobile run I can move with the tractor

 

[R2elk]

Awesome thank you! Im thinking of doing a half dozen meat turkeys next year but trying to plan what they'll need for space as I dont want to put them in with my chickens, contemplating a mobile run I can move with the tractor

I wouldn't use a "tractor" for birds that get as tall as turkeys. In the case of meat birds, a bale of hay or straw can serve as a roost for them.

 

[Echelontheory101]

I wouldn't use a "tractor" for birds that get as tall as turkeys. In the case of meat birds, a bale of hay or straw can serve as a roost for them.

That's good to know! If I built like a 16 by 8 framed out run with a coop inside that'd probably be enough space for 6 right? I know how many chickens that would fit but still learning on the turkey facts haha

 

[R2elk]

That's good to know! If I built like a 16 by 8 framed out run with a coop inside that'd probably be enough space for 6 right? I know how many chickens that would fit but still learning on the turkey facts haha

I assume that you will be processing them by the time they are 3 to 6 months old.

Even so, I would build the coop on the outside of the run to give them more room.

Adult turkeys need at least 10 sq. ft. per bird inside the coop. They are adults by the time they are 6 months old. They need much more space outside of the coop to go along with the coop.

If you were going to keep them after they are adults, no your proposed area would be way too small.

 

[Echelontheory101]

I assume that you will be processing them by the time they are 3 to 6 months old.

Even so, I would build the coop on the outside of the run to give them more room.

Adult turkeys need at least 10 sq. ft. per bird inside the coop. They are adults by the time they are 6 months old. They need much more space outside of the coop to go along with the coop.

If you were going to keep them after they are adults, no yur proposed area would be way too small.

Yeah the plan would be processing around 18 to 21 weeks but probably better to go bigger like you said in case I ever get sick of ordering poults as babies and want to hatch my own like I do the chickens then id need space for adults long term. Thanks for the info good for my late night cant sleep adhd planning