Prefab Shed Coop

[Meaghan]

I posted this question over on the chicken coop section, but figured that it may not be seen by a lot of turkey people.

In a few weeks, we will be getting into poultry when we move into our new house! We are thinking of designing the turkey run/coop with a prefab 10x12ft shed in the middle of two 10x20ft runs. I was curious if this is a good design, and if so, what the comfortable capacity of something like this would be? The runs will be covered, too.

As far as varieties, we are thinking of Bourbon Reds, Royal Palms, and Sweetgrass. Not sure if that matters like it does for breeds of chicken and duck, but it will be some of those, if not a mix of all three.

 

[Meaghan]

Any info? I just want an idea if this is a good set up for turkeys, and if so, how many would be comfortable in this.

 

[ivan3]

We constructed a 7'x8" shed. In the winter, when all the boys are getting along (lull in sparring for Alpha position in flock), I can attest to seven well trained turkeys sharing this "cubic dimension" (one is not visible in shot) without issues. They can be trained to return to run/shed on their own, at sundown. After the first generation has been habituated, the hens will "instruct" their poults. Folding infant "fences" are useful for segregating setting/brooding hens from the toms while allowing toms to get to food/roosts: Placing "roosting" bars (2"x2"s for example) outside, in corners of run fencing will be appreciated: If possible, runs should be slightly sloped. Sand works great an inert base in runs. Large rocks along the fencing on low side of slope allows for any sand, rinsed & washed downhill by rain, to be raked back up into run with minimal loss. Also, if you have a fire pit (leaves/branches/paper products only) all that is required is to stay upwind of the hens... Might look through this reference (as well as stickies in this subforum): http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/resources/internal /turkey-manual

 

[Meaghan]

Thank you for the size info! I have glanced through the turkey manual, but I haven't had the time to read it in depth yet.

 

[casportpony]

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[casportpony]

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