Came back to see if someone's had this problem...

I'm an old member, and have been off doing my stuff for many years. I've had turkeys before, and never came into this problem before. Want to know if anyone else has, and if there's a solution I haven't thought of.
I currently have a Black-winged Bronze gobbler and a Regal Red hen. They're both a year and a half old. The problem is the gobbler doesn't seem to be able to figure out WHICH end of the hen to breed her from. She'll squat for him, and he'll attempt to mount, stepping on her neck and head and getting on her sideways - and he'll be SO misaligned and clumsy - that she'll get fed-up with him stepping on her front-parts and jump up and run - leaving him to jack himself in the grass.
Now HOW do I help - so this season's eggs are fertile??
Yes, I've attempted the AI method, but he clenches up when I have him, and I can't get him to relax and cooperate. Viagra?? :/

Wolf said:

I'm an old member, and have been off doing my stuff for many years. I've had turkeys before, and never came into this problem before. Want to know if anyone else has, and if there's a solution I haven't thought of.
I currently have a Black-winged Bronze gobbler and a Regal Red hen. They're both a year and a half old. The problem is the gobbler doesn't seem to be able to figure out WHICH end of the hen to breed her from. She'll squat for him, and he'll attempt to mount, stepping on her neck and head and getting on her sideways - and he'll be SO misaligned and clumsy - that she'll get fed-up with him stepping on her front-parts and jump up and run - leaving him to jack himself in the grass.

Now HOW do I help - so this season's eggs are fertile??
Yes, I've attempted the AI method, but he clenches up when I have him, and I can't get him to relax and cooperate. Viagra??

Click to expand...

You are not going to like my answer, if it was my tom acting like that, I would cull him. I would never use a tom like that for a breeder. If you leave them alone, he is likely to injure the hen. If you want her bred, find a different tom. Sorry.

Hello, I am new to turkeys, has them since Autumn. They have not done much beyond eat and be birds so far. Yesterday and today I ran to the turkey run to called by a loud alarm, PeeP PeeP Peep. I found our Jake/Tom standing on one of the girls back. She is pinned to the ground and he is standing there all puffed up. I chased him off her as she sounded like she was dying He was in no way trying to mate with her. We have 2 hens.
Is he dumb? Really is it that he just can not figure it out? Or is he trying to kill her?
Since we bought them I realize we got the runts of the litter. SO maybe he is also not the smartest tool in the shed.
Sorry I could not be more help, but thought I would chime in with "yes" us too.

How old are the birds? Probably an inexperienced breeder. He will get the hang of it.

Depending on location it's getting time for mating to start.

Have you seen turkeys breed before?

It is not a quick procedure like chickens. The tom will stand on the hens back and stomp his feet. The turkey dance. He will work his way towards her tail. The hen will raise hers and he will lower his.

While hen is on ground she may whine peep and seem like she is having trouble breathing. But it's all part of it.

fairie said:

Hello, I am new to turkeys, has them since Autumn. They have not done much beyond eat and be birds so far. Yesterday and today I ran to the turkey run to called by a loud alarm, PeeP PeeP Peep. I found our Jake/Tom standing on one of the girls back. She is pinned to the ground and he is standing there all puffed up. I chased him off her as she sounded like she was dying He was in no way trying to mate with her. We have 2 hens. 
Is he dumb? Really is it that he just can not figure it out? Or is he trying to kill her?
Since we bought them I realize we got the runts of the litter. SO maybe he is also not the smartest tool in the shed.
Sorry I could not be more help, but thought I would chime in with "yes" us too.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I guess my national geographic education on turkeys is lacking, dont remember seeing them "do it" ever.
So I will have to hide out and watch.
Thanks for the reassurances.

fairie said:

Thanks. I guess my national geographic education on turkeys is lacking, dont remember seeing them "do it" ever.
So I will have to hide out and watch. 
Thanks for the reassurances.

Click to expand...

YouTube has a bunch of vids.

Did thus look close to your scenario.

Also the hen chooses to mate. The tom is out of luck til she squats down.

feedman77 said:

YouTube has a bunch of vids.

Did thus look close to your scenario.

Also the hen chooses to mate. The tom is out of luck til she squats down.

Click to expand...

Normally this is true but I have seen overly aggressive toms that will force the hens down.

In that video was that a successful mating?

Cannot see for sure with camera angle. But the hen did raise her tail and he lowered his. And then the hen started to get up so I would say yes

I only have the single pair. I cull my gobbler - and then I have no gobbler... would have to go through all the expense and effort and waste another year to buy hatching eggs and raise them to adulthood. Don't wanna "do over".
Oh! And I don't think he can corner her to accidently kill her - the pasture they graze in is quite big, and she can get away if she wants.