Raising turkeys can be a rewarding experience for any homesteader. However, before you bring home those cute little poults, you’ll need to build them a proper home. Turkeys have different needs than chickens, so a chicken coop won’t cut it. Building a well-designed turkey coop is an essential step to raise healthy, happy turkeys.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to build the perfect turkey coop for your flock.
Why Turkeys Need a Coop
Turkeys are naturally inclined to roost in trees and seek shelter, so they definitely need a coop. A good turkey coop provides:
- Protection from predators like foxes, coyotes, raccoons, hawks, and dogs
- Shelter from rain, wind, snow, and temperature extremes
- A place for hens to safely lay eggs and raise poults
- Roosting bars for turkeys to perch on at night
Ensuring your turkeys have a secure home to return to every evening will give you peace of mind and keep your flock protected.
Turkey Coop Design Considerations
Before you start building, think about these factors:
Size
Allow around 2-3 square feet per turkey inside the coop More space is always better, The coop should be tall enough for the birds to stand fully upright
Materials
Use rot-resistant wood, wire mesh, metal roofing, and hardware cloth. Avoid treated wood, as it can be toxic.
Predator Protection
Fortify any openings and use 1-inch wire mesh for walls. Bury wire fencing 6-12 inches underground to deter digging predators.
Roosting Bars
Add roosting bars 3-4 feet high that turkeys can easily access Allow 12-15 inches perch space per bird
Doors
Include a human-sized door for you and a smaller pop hole door sized for turkeys.
Ventilation
Add windows, vents, and air gaps for airflow without drafts. Good ventilation prevents respiratory issues.
Nest Boxes
Provide an enclosed, sheltered nesting space for hens to lay eggs.
Flooring
A dirt floor allows natural behaviors like dust bathing. Cover with sand or wood shavings.
How to Build a Sturdy Turkey Coop
Follow these steps:
1. Pick a Well-Drained Location
Choose a dry, slightly sloped site to prevent water pooling around the coop. Allow 50+ square feet of outdoor space per bird.
2. Construct the Floor
Build a wooden frame for the floor. Enclose the bottom with 1-inch wire mesh to keep out predators.
3. Frame the Walls
Use rot-resistant 2x4s framed 24 inches apart for the walls. Attach plywood siding and hardware cloth to the interior.
4. Build Roosting Bars
Cut and fasten 2×4 roosting bars 3-4 feet high along two walls, allowing 12-15 inches per bird.
5. Add Nesting Boxes
In a corner, frame a 24-inch high enclosed nesting space with a sloped roof and side entry holes.
6. Install Doors, Windows & Vents
Add vents up high for airflow. Build and hang doors for human and turkey access.
7. Construct the Roof
Build a plywood roof with rafters and cover it with metal sheeting. Add overhangs.
8. Finish the Interior
Cover dirt floors with sand or shavings. Hang feed and water containers. Add a heat lamp if needed.
9. Build Fenced Runs
Erect fencing or poultry netting to create outdoor runs. Bury the bottom 1 foot to deter digging.
And you’re done! Your turkeys will love roosting and nesting in their new safe and sturdy home.
Turkey Coop Tips
Follow these tips when building and using your turkey coop:
- Allow proper ventilation without drafts to prevent respiratory illness.
- Fortify any openings with sturdy 1-inch wire mesh to deter predators.
- Size pop holes at least 18 inches wide and 12 inches high.
- Provide 1 nest box per every 2-3 hens for egg laying.
- Position roosts and rails for easy access. Leave space between for balancing.
- Ensure adequate space between parallel roosting bars to prevent crowding.
- Allow head room above roosts so turkeys can move about freely.
- Keep feed and water away from roosts to avoid contamination.
- In cold climates, insulate walls and provide deep litter for warmth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should a basic turkey coop be?
For 5-10 turkeys, a coop around 8×8 feet is sufficient. Bigger flocks need around 2-3 square feet per bird.
How tall should turkey coop walls be?
Walls should be 6-8 feet tall to give turkeys head room and prevent injury.
Should I bury hardware cloth around the coop?
Yes, burying hardware cloth 12-24 inches deep will help deter digging predators.
How do I keep poults warm?
Provide thick bedding and a 250W brooder lamp to create a 95°F area poults can warm up in.
What predators should I protect against?
Foxes, coyotes, raccoons, hawks, bobcats, weasels, mink, and feral dogs will prey on turkeys. Fortify against all!
Let’s Get Building!
Blog Network: Marthas Circle
The latest building project here at my Bedford, New York farm is nearly complete – a new coop now designated for 13 growing turkeys.
The poults were incubated and hatched in the feed room of my stable, where they remained until they were big enough to move outdoors. But turkeys grow fast, and I decided they needed more room and a bigger coop where they could live, roost, and nest more comfortably. My property manage, Doug White, is a very talented craftsman and carpenter. Along with the help of Pete Sherpa from my outdoor grounds crew, the two took on the task of building the structure in a separate fenced in area of the chicken yard. The coop is made from diseased ash trees that were taken down here at the farm and then cut into usable lumber with my portable sawmill. This project took several weeks to complete, but it looks great.
Enjoy these first photos of the building process.