What kind of shelter for my Midget whites?

[ziggywiggy]

I'm going to build a shelter for my Midget Whites and could use a little input from the experts. Everything I've tryed so far has resulted in them roosting on top of it or in a tree instead of in the shelter. They seem not to be bothered by the elements but, somehow it just doesn't seem right especially when they have frost on them in the morning.
Any ideas?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

You have to train them to go inside, most turkeys don't like to go into closed areas. We use range roost type shelters and that works well once they get the hang of it.

Steve in NC

 

[ziggywiggy]

Quote:
What is a range roost shelter?
This is what I'm planning. It will be 8'x8'x8''. Three sides will be covered with one side left opened. I'm thinking at 8' they won't try to sleep on top. I'll put their perch about 5' with a latter going up and a nest box fairly low like 2' above the ground.
What do you think?
Thanks

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Here is one of our smaller range roosts

There are 4 nest boxes in the back. Since this pic was taken we have closed in the 2 sides and 1/2 the front. We had an owl that was grabbing the Cochins of the roost so we closed it up and that sovled the problem.

Steve in NC

 

[ziggywiggy]

Thanks Steve. You saved me some money with that picture.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
Glad to be able to help!

Steve

 

[fancbrd4me02]

How far apart are the roosts (spacing)?

 

[safarichick101]

Don't raccoons eat them? Mine would be dead in a matter of days.

 

[pandaz]

This may be a stupid question, but how do you get to the nest boxes with sides closed in? I really like this idea, I am in New York, so it would have to be closed in.

 

[pdpatch]

it kind of depends on the weather. For raining area's or places where it's not to cold range shelters are great. But as you get to colder regions and the wind chill is -20 and below you need to enclose it and add a bit of insulation.

In the winter you should to consider the worst case weather, and predators in your are when doing shelters.


Tom