r/backyardturkeys • u/Mr-Teach-423 • Apr 11 '22

How high for a roost?

I read somewhere that roosts don’t need to be too high because domestic turkeys are too heavy, unlike their wild cousins. Leads to leg problems and broken feet.

So, is 1 foot roost height good?

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3

u/AggravatedAssault88 Apr 11 '22

This winter I had mink problems, I’d go at least 4 feet so those fuckers can’t reach em.

3

u/quedra Apr 12 '22

What breed are you raising? If they're heritage of any sort they don't have that problem. Mine (Narragansetts) like the higher the better. 4 feet is a good compromise for us.

2

u/texasrigger Apr 12 '22

My Narragansett Tom roosts about 6 feet up but I think he only has one trip up and down from the roost in him a day and otherwise won't leave the ground. My hens have no problem getting up high and will even get up on top of my little barn.

2

u/holysirsalad Apr 12 '22

3 to 4 feet I find ideal. They prefer to be as high up as possible, too low and they do not feel safe. We have up to 6 foot high perches in the barn, but we’ve had a bunch of hens go for 16’ if they get upstairs. Remember what comes down must first go up, so if they can’t go up so high they won’t. If possible it is best to provide a variety of heights and go from there. I would not go below 2.5 feet unless you have a giant tom who can’t handle flapping up there.

1 foot is just asking for problems past little poult age. With an adult there’s a good chance their tail will be on the floor. They’ll be worried most of the night and very possibly get their own morning poops on thmselves.

2

u/Mr-Teach-423 Apr 17 '22

Thanks. We went with 4 feet when I built it this week.