As a homesteader, I love being able to provide for my family by raising our own food. Recently, I decided to add turkeys to our little farm. But before bringing home those adorable poults, I knew I needed to build them a proper home. In this article, I’ll share how I built a sturdy, spacious turkey coop right on our homestead.
Why Build a Turkey Coop?
While turkeys are hardy birds that can tolerate being outdoors, they still need a safe space to sleep and take shelter. A well-built turkey coop provides:
- Protection from predators like foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and feral dogs
- Shielding from rain, wind, snow, and temperature extremes
- A place for hens to lay eggs and raise poults
- Roosting bars for turkeys to sleep above the ground
- Storage for feed, waterers, and other supplies
Ensuring your turkeys have a coop to return to at night keeps them safe and gives you peace of mind.
Turkey Coop Design Considerations
Before starting construction think about these factors
Size: Allow 2-3 square feet per adult turkey inside the coop. More space is better.
Materials Wood, wire, metal roofing and hardware cloth work well. Use rot-resistant wood.
Predator protection: Fortify any openings and use 1-inch wire mesh on coop walls. Bury wire fencing.
Roosting bars: Turkeys prefer roosting 3-4 feet high. Add roosts they can easily access.
Doors: Size the pop hole for turkeys and include a human access door.
Ventilation: Add windows and vents for airflow without drafts.
Nest boxes: Provide a private, enclosed space for hens to lay eggs.
Flooring: Dirt floors allow natural behaviors like dust bathing.
How to Build a Durable Turkey Coop
Follow these steps to construct a custom turkey coop:
Step 1: Choose a Well-Drained Location
Pick a dry, slightly sloped site to prevent water pooling around the coop. Allow 50+ square feet per bird of outdoor space.
Step 2: Lay the Foundation
Build a rectangular frame for the floor using rot-resistant lumber. Enclose the coop bottom with welded wire fencing to keep predators out.
Step 3: Erect the Walls and Frame
Use 2×4 stud framing for the walls. Space studs 24 inches apart. Secure plywood siding to the exterior and hardware cloth inside. Add framing for the roof ridge.
Step 4: Build the Roosting Bars
Cut and fasten 2×4 or 2×6 roosts 3-4 feet high along two walls, with 12-15 inches between bars for perching space.
Step 5: Construct the Nest Boxes
In a corner, frame out an enclosed nesting space at least 24 inches high with a sloped roof and side entry holes. Line with straw.
Step 6: Install Windows, Doors, and Ventilation
Cut ventilation openings along the upper walls. Build and hang a pop hole door and hinged human access door. Add windows if desired.
Step 7: Attach the Roof
Using plywood and rafters, construct a sturdy, sloped roof. Cover it with metal sheeting or fiberglass panels. Add overhangs.
Step 8: Finish the Coop Interior
Cover dirt floors with wood shavings. Hang feed and water containers. Add a heat lamp if needed for poults.
Step 9: Build Fenced Runs and Yards
Erect fencing or poultry netting to create enclosed outdoor runs and grazing areas. Bury fencing to deter digging predators.
And you’re done! Your turkeys will love roosting and nesting in their new home. Customize the coop with roost height, space, nests, and other features to keep your flock happy and productive.
Handy Tips for Building a Successful Turkey Coop
Follow these tips for coop construction and preparing your turkeys’ home:
-
Ventilate but avoid drafts. Turkeys are susceptible to respiratory issues.
-
Use sturdy, predator-proof hardware cloth on any exposed walls or windows.
-
Size pop holes at least 18 inches wide and 12 inches high.
-
Include a movable coop partition to separate poults if needed.
-
Provide at least one nest box per every three hens.
-
Add roosts and rails turkeys can easily fly up to and balance on.
-
Ensure adequate space between parallel roosting bars for adult turkeys.
-
Include a couple feet of head space above roosts so turkeys can move about.
-
Place water and feed areas nearby but not directly under roosts to prevent contamination.
-
In cold climates, consider adding insulated walls and thick bedding for warmth.
Common Turkey Coop Questions
Here are some common questions about building and using turkey coops:
What size should a basic turkey coop be?
For 5-10 turkeys, a coop around 8×8 feet is sufficient. Bigger flocks need more space, about 2-3 square feet per bird.
How tall do turkey coop walls need to be?
Walls should be 6-8 feet to allow plenty of headroom for tall turkeys and prevent injury.
Should I bury hardware cloth around my turkey coop?
Yes, burying hardware cloth 12-24 inches deep around the coop perimeter will deter digging predators.
How do I keep poults warm in the coop?
Add thick bedding and hang a 250W brooder lamp to create a 95°F area poults can return to when needed.
What predators should I protect my turkeys from?
Foxes, coyotes, raccoons, feral dogs, hawks, bobcats, weasels, and mink will prey on turkeys. Fortify your coop against all!
Let’s Get Building!
Building a Turkey Coop
So many times on the homestead projects are born from necessity. When we want to plant a new crop, or raise a new animal, there is always an investment to make. Sometimes its as simple as a trellis for beans, other times its an 8’x8′ turkey coop. This project was born several months ago when we were at the feed store. There were chick order forms laying on the checkout counter. We took a quick look and to our surprise they also offered turkey poults. (baby turkeys)
We had been interested in trying to raise our own turkeys for the the holidays, but shipping was always an issue, so this was a golden opportunity for us. We did some research after placing the order and found out that the turkeys would need a separate area because disease can be passed from chickens to turkeys.
When we began designing our turkey’s coop, we decided to make it a more generic structure that could also be used for other purposes, just in case the turkey rearing didn’t work out. We also wanted it to fit our homestead and look good. We designed it to match our chicken coop.
We finally decided on an 8’x8′ structure, which would allow us to use it as storage in the off season, or maybe a small barn for a couple of sheep. Since we chose the same roof design and materials as the chicken coop, our next stop was Porosky Lumber. 
My good friend Scott is a purveyor of both fine hardwood and beautiful rough cut hemlock. He also makes beautiful cutting boards, wood art, and is one of the best conversationalists you will ever meet.
Scott loaded us up with some of the most gorgeous 12″ boards and 3″ battens you have ever seen. These will be used for the exterior of our coop. It also has some natural rot resistance which was a bonus.
We began by framing the floor from 2″x4″s and used some pressure treated for runners that would contact the ground and would also allow us to move the coop if necessary. After squaring the frame up by measuring diagonally from corner to corner we added 3/4 inch cdx plywood for the floor.
We framed the walls adding openings for doors and windows. After this we mocked up our rafters.
We then cut all of our rafters and made the frame for the roof. We installed the corner boards on the frame to stiffen the structure before we climbed onto the roof, which we covered in 1/2″ cdx plywood. We also framed in the gable ends and added framing for vents on both sides.
We then covered the structure with those beautiful 12″ boards
Next we installed the soffits and capped the fascia, and installed the metal roofing. We also had an unexpected guest. (Take a look at the upper window/vent)
The next step was to cap and trim the windows, and install 1/2 inch hardware cloth into the windows and vents to keep out predators. Finally, we installed the battens ripped them down to 2″ for aesthetic purposes.
The last thing to do was build the doors. We used the same hemlock boards so that everything matched nicely.
We now had a great looking addition to the homestead. This building is versatile, and is built with quality materials that should last for decades. We can’t wait for our little turkeys to move in. They say that “necessity is the mother of invention”, and that is certainly the case on the homestead. Over and over we take on new projects that not only make us use our bodies, but also challenge our mind. Innovation is still alive and well on the homestead, and every time we take on a new challenge, we are rewarded with a feeling of satisfaction that we can’t find on a screen.
SOLD OUT MESSAGE US TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST
contact us to preorder for the 2024 season
Adventures In Homesteading and Cooking
Building A Turkey Pen: Turkey Coop and Run Is Ready For Our Growing Rio Grande Turkey Poults
FAQ
What do turkeys need in a coop?
What size of coop does a turkey need?
How do turkeys sleep in a coop?
Why can’t you raise turkeys and chickens together?
How do you build a turkey coop?
A turkey roosting area is one of the primary ways building a turkey coop will vary from building a chicken coop. To create a roosting area that your turkeys will want to return to each night, you need some height — 3–4 feet will satisfy most birds. Remember that these are animals ruled by instinct, which tells them to roost in trees.
What should a turkey coop roof be made of?
The roof of the turkey coop is important for protecting the turkeys from the elements. The roof should be made from a sturdy material that is water-resistant. The most common materials used for turkey coop roofs are metal, wood, and PVC. Metal roofs are durable and weather-resistant, but they can be hot in the summer.
Are PVC pipes good for a turkey coop?
Your turkey coop is now complete! PVC pipes are an excellent material for turkey coop because they are strong, durable, and weather-resistant. Following these instructions, you can build a sturdy and reliable turkey pen that will last for years.
What materials are used for turkey coop frames?
The most common materials used for turkey coop frames are wood, metal, and PVC. Wood is a good option for a traditional look, while metal and PVC are more durable and weather-resistant. Once you have chosen your materials, you can begin building the frame.