Turkeys. Can I Has?

[Flavum]

Hey gang I am wanting to get a heritage breed this spring and I have some concerns with space and them wanting to free range and jump ship on me.I dont know that it makes a difference but there is ALOT of pasture around where the pen is set up.

I have an outside run area that is approximately 145ft x 45 ft with 6 ft. tall fencing. Would this be adequate for 5-6 turkeys? They will be sharing the run with 10 chickens but they will be housed in different buildings.

Any advice is appreciated

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Are you getting chicks?? If so never have younger turkey's with chickens. They pick up a disease from them and will die. And you need to keep the turkey's inside for 7 weeks if you get them as chicks. 6' fence.

they will fly right over that if they want too.

 

[flocksalot]

Hey gang I am wanting to get a heritage breed this spring and I have some concerns with space and them wanting to free range and jump ship on me.I dont know that it makes a difference but there is  ALOT of pasture around where the pen is set up.

I have an outside run area that is approximately 145ft x 45 ft with 6 ft. tall fencing. Would this be adequate for 5-6 turkeys? They will be sharing the run with 10 chickens but they will be housed in different buildings.

Any advice is appreciated

The size seems like it should be ok, but turkeys, especially young ones, can and will fly over your fence. If you clip a wing that will help.

You should check with you local ag extension office and see if you have Black head in your area. If you do then raising chickens and turkeys together could be problematic. There are lots of people that raise their birds together with no problems whatsoever.

I actually like to have a few young chicks (chickens) to help my young poults (turkeys) find food water and cuddling with. Once the poults are doing fine out go the chicks though. My mother had black head every year and so I keep mine somewhat separate. Everything is free ranged here so they do mingle from time to time with no problems beyond the turkeys giving a rooster a good smack down.

Turkeys are extremely curious and love to jump the fence and see what your doin, so you may have them ranging. How you deal with that is up to you. Some people clip wings and others put tops on their pens. For me I love watching them run all over the pastures, gardens and hay fields. We don't have much for bugs left when they ate done.

 

[Flavum]

I was planning on getting chicks but was thinking of keeping them in the house till a month or so.

Thanks for the Info guys, Answered alot of questions.