How to Build an Outdoor Free-Range Shelter for Turkeys

Raising turkeys isn't particularly difficult, but turkeys do have necessities such as food, water, protection from predators and protection from the elements. If you're raising your turkeys free range, they need a basic shelter to roost and keep dry. You can build a simple turkey roost with little equipment.

Step 1
Build the roosting perches. To do this, make a square by attaching the perch front and back to the perch side ends. Then, add the perches at equal spaced distance attaching them to the sides at each end.

Step 2
Attach the bottom skids to one end of each post. The skids will serve as skis for the turkey house and will provide a stable foundation.

Step 3
Attach the skid and post to the square roosts. The front of the roost attaches at the bottom of the front posts; the back of the roost attaches halfway up the back posts to raise the roost at an angle.

Step 4
Attach the roof supports across the top front posts and the top back posts. Attach the roof to the supports.

Step 5
Fence around the turkey house to prevent predators from getting in. Drive in fence posts every 10 feet around turkey house and fence in using field fence. Add a gate, if desired, or leave one edge unattached to post and tie with wire loosely as an impromptu gate.

Step 6
Set up feeder and waterer inside the fencing and add turkeys. Add feed to turkey feeder and set on ground near turkey house. Fill waterer and set on ground near feeder.

Things You'll Need
2 posts, 4" by 4" by 6' 6" (front posts)
2 posts, 4" by 4" by 5' (back posts)
2 planks, 2" by 4" by 8' (perch front and back)
2 planks, 2" by 6" by 8' (perch sides)
6 planks, 2" by 2" by 8' (perches)
2 planks 2" by 8" by 10' (roof supports)
2 planks, 2" by 10" by 10' (bottom skids)
1 board, 10' by 10' 3/8 plywood with shingles or metal roofing material
Screwdriver
Drill
Screws
Field fencing (minimum 4 foot high)
Fence posts
Gate (optional)
Turkey feeder
Turkey waterer

Reference
"Storey's Guide to Raising Turkeys," Leonard S. Mercia; 2001