Provide Adequate Space

Start with 1.5 square feet per poult for the first two weeks, then expand to 3 square feet per bird by week four. Turkey poults grow rapidly and need significantly more space than chicks. Plan for brooder expansion or a move to larger quarters by the third week.

Why It Works

Overcrowding causes stress-related pecking, feather pulling, cannibalism, and disease transmission in turkey poults. Adequate space allows proper air circulation, reduces ammonia from droppings, and gives subordinate birds room to escape aggression. Turkeys can reach 2-3 pounds by four weeks, so space needs increase quickly.

Tips

• Provide at least 1 inch of feeder space and 0.5 inches of waterer space per poult
• Watch for toe-pecking and feather-picking as early signs of overcrowding
• Increase brooder size in stages rather than moving poults to a much larger space all at once
• By 8 weeks, turkeys need 5-8 square feet per bird in a grow-out pen