two royal palm turkey entertanment

[cowboyup]

hello all!!
i am new to the turkey world... i was given two turkey poults about 3/4months ago and well dumb and dumber survived lol...i have them outside now in a 10×6 pen they were moved outside 3 days ago and thelarger of the two tried his first horrible attempt at gobbling ... it was priceless!!!!!!! im thinking i have a hen and a tom.. they are two very different sizes even tho they were born the same time.. my big question is im worried they wont stick around if i let them out.. and that they will try to get to my chicken coop on the other side of the property... what can i do to keep them happy and not wanting to get out...they constently pace the boarders of the run.. how big should my run and coop actually be?

 

[chocolate m'scovy]

From Storey's Guide to Raising Turkeys: "Four to five square feet of yard area per bird is recommended." Also, smaller varieties need 4 sq. ft. for males, and 3 for females.

 

[chocolate m'scovy]

It seems turkeys don't tolerate captivity as well as, say, ducks do. Mine like to pace their pens too. I feel so sorry for them...but after seeing what owls and such can do to a freeranging full-grown turkey... I'm less inclined to let my babies out with the adults.

As far as cages go, 10x6 IS a lot of room. Is this pen portable? My discontent turkeys seem extremely interested in peering into the uncut grass when I move their cages. Insects, they like! It makes me feel happy inside to hear their inquistive "Pweep??!" as they investigate their new surroundings.
So, if you can't move them, I'd recommend giving them something to engage their interest. Read: something edible. Maybe some sort of salad scraps, or garden clippings...I'm thinking lettuce, kale... oh, and noodles too! Being the leery creatures they are, they are instantly interested in anything you toss in their pen...after they get over their initial horror. Then, they will gather around and stretch out their long necks tentatively as if afraid this new food substance will latch on to them and devour them whole.