Raising backyard turkeys is becoming increasingly popular as more people want to know where their food comes from. While turkeys make great additions to small farms, they do require adequate housing and space to thrive. So how much room do turkeys need? Here is a complete guide to turkey housing and space requirements.
Minimum Space Requirements
The precise amount of space needed per turkey depends on several factors, including:
- Age of the birds
- Whether they are confined or free-range
- Total number of birds
- Time of year
As a general guideline
- Baby poults require 2-3 square feet each
- Growing turkeys need 3-5 square feet each
- Mature turkeys require a minimum of 4 square feet each
Free-range turkeys that have access to a pasture or yard will need more total space than confined birds. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least 10-15 square feet per bird if they will be free-ranging. The more space you can provide, the better.
Shelter Size
Turkeys need access to a sheltered coop or barn for roosting and protection from weather and predators. The coop should have at least 4 square feet of floor space per mature turkey.
For example, a coop for 6 mature turkeys should have a minimum floor space of 24 square feet. However, more space is better to decrease crowding. Aim for 5-10 square feet per bird in the shelter.
The coop should be tall enough for the birds to roost comfortably. 4-5 feet of height is sufficient for most turkey breeds. Ensure proper ventilation by including windows, vents or air gaps.
Outdoor Enclosure Size
In addition to a coop, turkeys need access to an outdoor enclosure or yard area. The recommended minimum space is 10 square feet per bird.
For example, an enclosure for a flock of 10 turkeys should cover at least 100 square feet More space is ideal, so allow 15-20 square feet per turkey if possible
The enclosure should have a covered, shaded area to protect the birds from sun and rain. Having roosts or perches helps them fulfill their natural roosting instinct. Providing trees, shrubs or structures for enrichment is also beneficial.
Free-Range Space Needs
Free-range turkeys that have access to a large yard or pasture require more space than confined birds. Each turkey will need a minimum of 100 square feet.
So for a flock of 20 free-range turkeys, you’d need an absolute minimum of 2,000 square feet. However, more space is recommended. An acre of land provides about 43,000 square feet for the birds to roam.
Rotate the location of feeders and shelters periodically to distribute manure evenly. Move electric poultry netting to give them fresh foraging areas.
Space Needs by Age
Baby poults have different needs than mature breeding or meat birds. Here are the approximate space requirements:
- Poults (0-4 weeks): 2-3 square feet per poult
- Young turkeys (4-8 weeks): 3-4 square feet each
- Growing turkeys (8-16 weeks): 4-5 square feet each
- Mature turkeys (over 16 weeks): Minimum 4 square feet each, ideally 10+ square feet
Adjust housing and range size as your flock ages and grows. Crowding poults can lead to poor growth and injuries.
Seasonal Considerations
During warmer months, turkeys will spend more time outdoors foraging if given the opportunity. You can get by with a smaller sheltered coop/barn space since they won’t be confined.
In winter, turkeys stay in the coop more often to stay warm. Make sure the indoor housing space is adequate, with room to move around comfortably. Confined birds may become aggressive without enough area.
Muddy conditions can cause health issues. Having a dry, covered outdoor run is important in rainy seasons so they have a safe place to roam. Rotate the location of muddy runs to give the ground a chance to recover.
General Housing Guidelines
- Use wire or hard plastic flooring to prevent injuries and keep the coop clean. Bed with straw.
- Maximize ventilation and air flow. Turkeys are prone to respiratory diseases.
- Use secure latches on doors. Predators like coyotes can tear into flimsy coops.
- Provide adequate perches and roosts for natural behavior.
- Clean water and feed supplies are essential. Position them to minimize contamination.
Follow these turkey space requirements as a guide when planning your housing setup. Free-range birds need more area overall than confined ones. Adjust the space as your flock ages from poults to mature turkeys. Proper housing and range area will help keep your turkeys healthy and safe.
Growing your own Thanksgiving turkeys
Have you ever considered raising your own turkeys to market for the Thanksgiving holiday? Raising market turkeys can be a fun and rewarding way to provide fresh, local food in your community. It is also a great project youth can do to help build animal science content knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.
Most turkey breeds will mature between 14-22 weeks of age, which means you will need to purchase birds early in July to make sure they have enough time to grow. Heritage breeds will take a bit longer, 25-30 weeks, so those birds would need to be purchased in late May or early June.
Turkey poults can be purchased through different hatcheries and are typically a few days old when they arrive to the purchaser. Beginning with the end in mind is a good strategy to help you determine what breed you should purchase. Each breed will vary in the length of time it takes for the bird to mature and the final weight on mature birds. Turkeys should be kept in groups of at least three to six birds.
Turkey poults are raised very similarly to chickens. They will need to be kept in a brooder for the first six weeks and can then be transferred into a coop setting. Turkeys will need a larger area to grow than chicks due to their size, and size requirements will increase as the turkey grows. 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
- 20 weeks to market weight: 6-10 square feet per turkey
Turkeys also require different diets during different growth stages. They need a diet very high in protein so that they can grow and gain muscle quickly. Generally, a 30% protein diet is fed as a starter feed from 0-8 weeks of age. After that, birds can be dropped down to a 20% protein grower formula until they achieve market weight. Turkeys must have access to clean, fresh water at all times as well.
“Giving Poults a Good Start” by the University of Maine Extension and “Raising Turkeys” by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension are great resources that can provide more in-depth information.
Holiday Hotline Tip: How Many Pounds of Turkey Per Person
FAQ
How many sqft do turkeys need?
How big of a coop do I need for 5 turkeys?
How big of a pen do turkeys need?
How much space for meat turkey?
How many square feet should a Turkey be in a backyard?
Aim for around 25 to 50 square feet per bird, depending on the size of your turkeys. Ensure that the outdoor space is adequately fenced and protected from predators such as foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. Consider burying the fence at least a foot underground to prevent burrowing. Keeping turkeys in your backyard requires careful attention to safety.
How big should a Turkey shelter be?
Shelter is necessary to protect turkeys from extreme weather conditions and predators. It is important to consider the number of turkeys you plan to raise when choosing a shelter size. As a general rule, each bird should have at least 4 square feet of floor space. This gives the turkeys enough room to move around and perch.
How many turkeys can a garden shed hold?
You can create something as simple as a modified pre-designed garden shed. To get an idea of space, a typical 6-foot by 8-foot shed would accommodate about six turkeys, though this is the minimum size, and larger will make your turkeys happier. There are several breeds of turkeys that are commonly kept as both pets and raised as livestock.
Do turkeys need a covered area?
A covered area is also necessary to protect turkeys from extreme weather conditions, such as hot sun or heavy rain. In order to achieve this, a simple shelter could be provided or even trees or shrubs could be planted to provide shade. To keep turkeys healthy, they need a balanced diet, including high-protein feed, as well as access to fresh water.