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Turkeys are social creatures, so plan on raising at least two. They are bigger birds than chickens and thus more space is required. You’ll need a minimum of 25 square feet of outdoor space per bird for them to exercise, with predator-proof fencing on all sides, as well as overhead.
How much space do turkeys need in a coop?
The following is the amount of coop space per turkey that will be needed: 0-8 weeks: 2-2.5 square feet per turkey. 8-16 weeks: 3-4 square feet per turkey. 16-20 weeks: 5-8 square feet per turkey.
Do turkeys need a coop?
If you plan to raise your turkeys from poults, then the answer to “Do turkeys need a coop?” is a resounding yes. Once the poults outgrow their brooder, they will need a secure coop at night, just like any other type of poultry.
How much space does a free range turkey need?
And what about free-range turkeys? How much space are they guaranteed by law. On a free-range turkey farm, the maximum stocking density is 25kg per square metre — twice as much as an intensively farmed turkey. Which sounds reasonably impressive for a moment.
How high of a fence do you need for turkeys?
As turkeys are big in size and good flyers, so the fencing should be as high as possible. The fencing have to be at least four feet high. If you want to avoid flying, then trim their wing feathers.
Do turkeys need nesting boxes?
Nest boxes are an essential feature for laying turkey hens, and can be simply built with just a little time and effort. Turkeys are large birds, but enjoy a cozy nest, so 8 inches of nesting room is more than enough to make them feel comfortable.
Do turkeys stay in your yard?
Keep an eye on them, they will tend to stay around home base, but may wander due to their curious nature and herd mentality. If they see you, they will most likely run to you, and follow you around, so be careful of leading them to your garden area! This is generally how it goes until they reach 3 months.
Can you let turkeys free range?
It’s like free-ranging chickens. The free-ranging can give the birds access to natural vitamins and nutrients they need. But it isn’t enough to sustain them properly. Make sure you give your turkeys grain and grit along with their free ranging.
Will free range turkeys fly away?
Because turkeys are able to fly, those birds have been confined to the caged yard. We wanted to allow them free range in the fenced-in grassy area. However, because it has an open top, the turkeys would be able to fly away. Clipping the wings, a painless procedure, prevents the birds from taking flight.
How long do turkeys live for?
Turkey/Lifespan.
What kind of enclosure do turkeys need?
You’ll need a minimum of 25 square feet of outdoor space per bird for them to exercise, with predator-proof fencing on all sides, as well as overhead. You’ll also need a small shed for a turkey coop; an 8-by-10-foot structure is big enough to house a few birds.
Can chickens and turkeys be raised together?
One of the main ways to keep turkeys healthy is too NOT raise chickens and turkeys together. When turkeys and chickens are raised together, turkeys run a high risk of contracting the disease histomoniasis, also known as blackhead.
Will turkeys go back to Coop?
Turkeys will roost anywhere except where you want them to. They would go in the coop at night with no problems and roost with the chickens.
How big should a turkey nesting box be?
A turkey will need a large 18″ x 18″ box. The nesting area does not need to be a series of individual boxes. Some birds enjoy using communal boxes (others however do not).
Can turkeys climb fences?
Turkeys do have a maddening tendency to hang up on fences, ditches and waterways. Turkeys will fly across water and over fences but also go under or through fences and wade sizable streams.
How do you house a turkey?
Roosting Area Turkeys require elevated roosting spots to spend the overnight hours, ideally with a sheltering roof to protect them from the elements. It is possible to build a single roost pen with space for several birds (a five-by-eight-foot roost will house about 20 turkeys) or you can build a set of roosts.
Where do female turkeys build their nests when they are about to lay eggs?
Typical locations are depressions in thickets or beneath the branches of fallen trees. Our hen had visited her nest each day to lay one egg until she had a full clutch of nine.
How old does a turkey have to be before it starts laying eggs?
“Turkeys have a longer life cycle so they need to get to about 7 months before they are able to produce laying eggs,” says Kimmon Williams of the National Turkey Federation.
How far do domestic turkeys roam?
Turkeys on the Move In general, they do not seems to wander too much outside of that area. Wild turkeys usually range within the same few square miles on a day to day basis for the majority of their life. And, if they don’t have reason to move, they often move less than the stated 1 to 3 miles per day.
Do turkeys roam?
Wild turkeys generally move a mile or two in one day depending on habitat and distance to food and water sources. The annual home range of wild turkeys varies from 370 to 1,360 acres and contains a mixture of trees and grass cover.
Are turkeys hard to raise?
Turkeys are not that hard to raise, but they differ a bit from chickens in terms of what they need, and raising them from poults (baby turkeys) is more time- and energy-intensive than raising chickens from baby chicks.
