A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[R2elk]

When allowed to brood naturally how many poults does a hen typically hatch out?

It depends on the hen and how big her clutch is. It is not unrealistic if fertility is good for a hen to hatch 90% or better of the eggs in her clutch. Most of my hens hatch 8 to 10 poults while my neighbor has a hen who often comes home with up to 15 poults.

 

[duluthralphie]

Ethel brings up 5 at a time. BUT I think she gets a handful and leaves the rest before they hatch.

 

[Mini Meat]

Quote:
Thanks, Trying to plan ahead.
8- 10 would be prefect. I think I'd be a bit horrified by 15.

 

[Mini Meat]

Ethel brings up 5 at a time. BUT I think she gets a handful and leaves the rest before they hatch.

What... was she raised by guineas?

 

[duluthralphie]

What... was she raised by guineas?

I have no idea how she was raised. I saved her from living under a deck in the cities with 20 other birds in 3 ft of rotting manure. I did not even know what type of turkey she was until she molted the fall after I got her she was in such rough shape her feathers were not recognizable. BUT I think she just wants to show off her babies to me so badly she leaves the nest before they all hatch.

She brings them to me before they are a day old.

 

[duluthralphie]

I found a turkey hen trying to get into one of the chicken nest boxes last night. My boxes are small maybe 10x10 inches. The stupid turkey was trying to go in head first. There is no way she was going to fit. She was not smart enough to turn around and back in. I reached under her thinking she would break any chicken egg under her. There were no chicken eggs, but there was a turkey egg in the nest! HITH did that get in there?



Silly birds..

 

[R2elk]

I found a turkey hen trying to get into one of the chicken nest boxes last night. My boxes are small maybe 10x10 inches. The stupid turkey was trying to go in head first. There is no way she was going to fit. She was not smart enough to turn around and back in. I reached under her thinking she would break any chicken egg under her. There were no chicken eggs, but there was a turkey egg in the nest! HITH did that get in there?



Silly birds..

Its amazing how small a space a turkey hen can cram herself into if she wants to.

 

[memphis]

Annie doesn't hesitate to cram into a chicken next box to lay. Doesn't even matter if there is a hen in there! Must be spring.....every hen I own is hitting the ground when I walk by. Geez!

 

[feedman77]

Annie doesn't hesitate to cram into a chicken next box to lay. Doesn't even matter if there is a hen in there! Must be spring.....every hen I own is hitting the ground when I walk by. Geez!

Sounds like it's time to come to west side of Mo. And pick them up a boyfriend.

I sure my boys would line up just like on the "bachelor"

I'm sure Anne and daisy would be eggstatic.

 

[feistychick]

Annie doesn't hesitate to cram into a chicken next box to lay. Doesn't even matter if there is a hen in there! Must be spring.....every hen I own is hitting the ground when I walk by. Geez!

The mental image this creates is hilarious - my turkey hens have not tried out the chicken nest boxes......yet. My LF Cochin will wedge herself into a small nest box on top of another hen even if the nest box next door is totally empty I'm sure that the turkeys will eventually think this is a good idea.