Raising turkeys can be a rewarding experience for small poultry farmers. However, in order to raise healthy, productive turkeys, it is important to house them properly. An ideal turkey house provides shelter, temperature control, ventilation, roosting space, nest boxes, feeders and waterers. When designing or selecting a turkey house, there are several key factors to consider in order to meet the needs of your flock.
What are the basic requirements for a turkey house?
There are several basic requirements that every turkey house should have:
- Shelter from extreme weather and predators
- Adequate floor space
- Proper ventilation
- Temperature control
- Roosting areas
- Nesting boxes for hens
- Feeders and waterers
- Easy access for care and maintenance
Let’s look at each of these requirements in more detail:
Shelter
Turkey houses should provide a dry, draft-free shelter. It should have a roof and walls to protect the birds from rain, snow, wind, and cold temperatures. The walls should be sturdy enough to keep out predators like foxes, raccoons, and stray dogs.
Floor Space
Each turkey needs adequate floor space. Overcrowding causes stress, which makes the birds more susceptible to disease. Recommended floor space per turkey is:
- Poults (0-8 weeks): 1-3 ft2
- Young turkeys (9-16 weeks): 3-5 ft2
- Growing turkeys (17-22 weeks): 5-8 ft2
- Adult turkeys: 10-15 ft2
The flooring should be dirt or litter such as wood shavings, rice hulls, or straw. Concrete floors are acceptable if they are covered with litter. Wire or mesh flooring can cause injuries and is not recommended.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation removes moisture, dust, odors, and excess heat from the turkey house. It brings in fresh air without creating strong drafts. Good ventilation promotes health by reducing the spread of respiratory diseases.
Turkey houses need adjustable ventilation openings like windows, curtains, or panels that can be opened or closed as needed. Fans are also useful for circulating air on hot days. The ventilation system should exchange the entire volume of air in the house at least 2-3 times per hour.
Temperature Control
Turkeys thrive in temperatures between 65-75°F. Younger poults require extra warmth. The turkey house should have insulation and heat sources to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.
Safe heat sources include propane or gas infrared heaters and central heating systems. Emergency backup power may be needed in case of a power outage during cold weather.
In hot climates, cooling features like attic fans, shade structures, or evaporative cooling systems will help prevent heat stress. Make sure the turkeys always have access to cool drinking water to stay hydrated.
Roosting Space
Turkeys prefer to sleep on raised roosts at night. Perches should be large enough for the birds to easily stand on – usually with a 2-3 inch wide surface. Round perch supports are easiest on the turkeys’ feet.
The roosts should be 1.5 – 4 feet off the ground and spaced 1-2 feet apart horizontally. Allow 8 – 10 inches of perch space per adult turkey. The roost area should be safely enclosed or have roost guards installed so the turkeys don’t roost on fence tops or other hazardous areas.
Nest Boxes
In the spring, provide at least one nest box for every four hens in the breeding flock. The nests encourage hens to lay their eggs in a clean, sheltered place rather than on the floor.
Nest boxes should be 12-24 inches square and 12-14 inches deep with a top, three sides, and an open front for the hen to enter. Place a layer of nesting material like hay, wood shavings, or straw inside. Mount the nests 2-3 feet off the ground.
Feeders and Waterers
Turkeys need free access to feed and clean water at all times. Provide enough feeder and waterer space so all birds can eat and drink at once without crowding.
- Linear feeder space: 2 inches per poult, 6 inches per adult turkey
- Circular feeder space: 1 foot per every 6-8 poults, 2 feet per every 4 adult turkeys
- Linear waterer space: 0.5 inches per poult, 1 inch per adult turkey
- Circular waterer space: 1 foot per every 15-20 poults, 2 feet per every 15-20 adult turkeys
Raise waterers for poults so they can reach the water. Allow extra feeder and waterer space in hot weather when consumption increases.
Easy Access
The turkey house design should allow you to easily reach all areas for cleaning, maintenance, and bird care. Having multiple access doors makes it more convenient to enter different parts of the house. All areas should be reachable without having to walk through the flock – this prevents accidents and injuries.
What size should a turkey house be?
The size of your turkey house depends on your flock size. Calculate the total floor space needed based on the space requirements per bird.
Then add extra space for:
- Feeders, waterers and other equipment
- Walkways for caretaker access
- Storage for feed and supplies
As a general guideline, a minimum house size for a small flock would be:
- 10-25 turkeys: 12 x 12 ft
- 25-75 turkeys: 12 x 24 ft
- 75-125 turkeys: 20 x 30 ft
Larger flocks may be housed in a series of adjoining pens rather than one huge building. Each pen would contain 100-400 turkeys depending on the total number to be housed.
What are the best materials for constructing a turkey house?
Turkey houses can be constructed from a variety of materials including wood, metal, and plastic. The most common options include:
Wood Frame Building
A wooden barn or shed-style house provides good insulation. Use rot-resistant woods like cedar or cypress for structural framing. Exterior walls and roof should be clad with durable, weatherproof materials such as boards, planks, or metal sheeting.
Inside walls can be covered with plywood, rollout plastic panels, or wire fencing. The benefit of wood is low cost and ease of modification. Drawbacks are potential fire hazard and deterioration over time. Regular upkeep is needed to maintain structural integrity.
Pole Barn Building
Pole barns have galvanized steel pipes or wooden poles as the central roof supports. The walls are typically made of sheet metal, though wood or concrete boards can also be used.
Pole barn structures are quick to construct and the metal materials are fireproof and long-lasting. However, they provide less insulation than wood buildings – extra measures may be needed to control temperature.
Hoop Coop
A hoop coop or hoop house has curved truss arches made from metal, plastic or PVC pipes. The arches are covered with a tarp-like material. End walls may be rigid or flexible.
Hoop coops offer an affordable, lightweight housing option. They are easy to set up and take down. However, they provide limited insulation and may not hold up to heavy snow loads. Hoop coops are better suited to warmer climates as temporary seasonal shelters.
What are important design features for a turkey shelter?
In addition to the basic necessities mentioned previously, there are some specific design features that can improve a turkey shelter:
Predator Protection
Secure any openings from predators with 1/4 inch wire hardware cloth or welded wire fencing. Bury fencing 6-12 inches into the ground or build an apron to prevent digging underneath. Install roost guards 2-3 feet above roosts to keep predators out.
Use bird netting over any open ceiling area. Tree branches or other perching spots near the building should be trimmed back. Motion-sensor lighting, alarms, or surveillance cameras can also help deter predators.
Insulation
Insulate walls and ceilings with at least R-14 insulation value to reduce heat loss in cold weather. Reflective roof panels or radiant barrier products can minimize solar heat gain in hot conditions.
Ventilation Systems
Use maximum ridge vents, eave vents, curtain sidewalls and end wall vents to improve airflow. Negative pressure ventilation fans exhaust warm, moist air from the shelter. Circulating fans improve air movement.
Waste Management
Concrete floors with bedding or dirt floors facilitate frequent litter changes. Manure gathering pits or conveyor belts under slatted floors simplify waste removal. Composting or incineration systems can be installed to dispose of used litter.
Biosecurity
Design separate rooms or compartments to quarantine sick birds. Footbaths, protective clothing, and netted separation zones help reduce disease transmission. Limit human access points with secure doors.
Temperature Monitoring System
Install maximum/minimum thermometers, hygrometers, and temperature control systems. Thermostatically controlled heaters and fans maintain ideal conditions.
Emergency Provisions
Keep emergency water and feed supplies in case of service disruptions. Emergency lighting, backup generators, fire extinguishers, and alarm systems provide protection.
What types of lighting should be used in a turkey house?
Proper lighting helps regulate turkeys’ growth, behavior and egg production. It’s important to use suitable lighting fixtures and bulbs. Some guidelines include:
- Provide 14-16 hours of light per day for poults and growing turkeys to maximize growth. Use a timer switch for controlled lighting periods.
- Long photoperiod hens for egg production need 16-17 hours of light per day. Give hens 9-14 hours of darkness for optimal fertility.
- Use LED or fluorescent lighting for energy efficiency and longevity. Avoid incandescent bulbs which produce too much heat.
- Set light intensity at 1-3 foot candles to prevent leg problems. Bright lights may cause stress.
- Position lights high up in the rafters to provide diffuse, even light distribution.
- Use red bulbs or low level night lights if needed for round-the-clock lighting.
- Install enough fixtures to reach all interior areas, avoiding overly bright or dim spots.
- Place lights away from feeders and other equipment for easy bulb changing.
Using suitable lighting patterns is crucial for keeping turkeys active and productive throughout their grow-out period. Consult with agricultural lighting specialists for the best options to meet your flock’s needs.
How much does it cost to build a turkey house?
Building a new turkey house represents a significant upfront investment. Costs vary considerably based on:
- Size of the structure
- Construction materials used
- Type of foundation
- Interior fixtures and equipment
- Optional luxury add-ons
- Local labor and material rates
As an estimate, a basic turkey shelter for a small backyard flock may cost $5-$15 per square foot to construct. For a 200 square foot house, that equates to $1,000 – $3,000 total.
Commercial-scale turkey barns for large flocks are much more expensive. Most cost between $15-$30+ per square foot. Lower-end pole barns may start around $15/square foot. Fully insulated wood or metal buildings with high-end ventilation and climate systems can exceed $30/square foot.
A 10,000 square foot barn for 1,000 turkeys might cost $150,000 – $300,000+ to build. Larger operations with multiple houses invest several million dollars in construction and equipment.
Ongoing operation expenses for utilities, maintenance, equipment, litter, labor and other costs also need to be factored in. But a properly designed turkey house leads to healthier birds which can help offset these expenses.
Conclusion
An ideal turkey shelter balances good ventilation, temperature control, lighting, and biosecurity practices to keep the flock comfortable and productive. Although turkey housing requires a significant upfront investment, the long term benefits are well worth the cost for serious growers.
When designing your turkey house, work closely with agricultural experts to incorporate key structural and equipment elements that match your climate conditions and management needs. This will help ensure your turkeys thrive in their environment.
