Questions about breeding, not sure what I am going to get.....

I purchased a pb Royal Palm hen for my Royal Palm tom. She is a year old and has already hatched out a clutch of eggs. When I went to pick her up I was told she had been accidentally bred by a Eastern Wild turkey. They are not native here. The wild tom had flown onto her property and she is not sure from where. He was still hanging around when I picked up my turkey. He was impressive and beautiful! However..I'm not sure what this means. I know that the hen holds the sperm in her oviduct for up to 4 weeks. She is home now and with our Royal Palm tom. She has laid 6 eggs so far. Can one egg be fertilized by more than one toms sperm? I read somewhere on here that it takes 1 mating per egg..is that true?

Will she allow him to mate her if she has already been mated. I have seen him try but I haven't seen it actually happen..although I am not watching all the time =)

Is it likely she will have some crosses and some pb? All crosses?

Can someone explain all of this to me or post some links?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by turkaholic 

Turkey color genetics is a bit more complicated than most realize, but I can give you a general idea of what to expect. I'm no authority by any means, but your RP hen is most likely laying eggs fertilized by the wild tom. Hens dictate the mating and will be receptive to the tom when they are ready, and don't usually let a tom mount her on his terms. Only one sperm per egg, so if she did mate with both toms, it is possible either one of the toms contribute to the fertilization.  Bronze(wild) and RP crosses will result in two colors, 50 percent Narraganssett, and 50 percent bronze.  Both the Narr's and bronzes produced will also carry a blackwing gene. You may find a solid black wing feather in either of the two when the poults mature and feather out.

Thank you! I am a bit versed on color genetics for dogs and horses...turkeys..not so much =(

But I wasn't sure about the fertilizing and mating questions. I have seen him try to mount her, but she walks away. She has not crouched down for him, but I wasn't sure if maybe when we aren't watching they had.

I had never seen a wild turkey up close and personal...his colors were amazing! I am not thrilled about the crosses, but such is the situation. It won't happen again since they have a covered run at our place. I was just happy to get a RP hen...couldn't find anyone willing to sell anything but poults.

Thanks again for your reply