Kümes

Kümes is a Turkish noun that refers to a coop or poultry yard where domestic birds are kept. In rural Turkey, a kümes is typically a simple structure or series of structures that provide shelter, roosting perches, and nesting boxes, together with an enclosed outdoor area or run. The primary purpose is to house chickens, but the term can also apply to other fowl such as ducks, geese, turkeys, or pigeons. The design and size of a kümes vary with climate, species kept, and the scale of operation; backyard coops are common in households, while commercial poultry farms may have larger, purpose-built facilities.

A well-maintained kümes protects birds from predators and weather, ensures clean water and feed, and supports efficient egg production or meat production. Routine management includes regular cleaning, litter management, pest control, disease prevention, and biosecurity measures. In Turkish agriculture, the practice of keeping a kümes is often integrated with other farm activities and may be part of smallholder or family farming systems. The term is used widely in everyday language as well as in agricultural literature to describe the housing and husbandry of poultry within a farmstead.