Best way to relocate nest

[MDeezy79]

FINALLY found the nest of my favorite hen. She is very sneaky. This is the first of my flock to ever not nest in the barn. So I have been checking and she is definitely gone broody and is full time on the nest. But it very venerable to coyotes/coons in her selected location. It was actually underneath a parked camper and when the camper moved there she was. Now she is just out in the open in knee high grass.

What is the best way to move her to the barn.. with out issues? If they are broody.. do they just see eggs and sit on them even though its a different location? I do not handle my birds and they dont allow me to touch or hold them under normal circumstances.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Turkeys generally will refuse to move. They are extremely stubborn. I'm curious too if anyone has successfully moved one.

 

[R2elk]

Turkeys generally will refuse to move. They are extremely stubborn. I'm curious too if anyone has successfully moved one.

I cannot remember who but there was a poster that claimed to be able to successfully relocate a turkey nest.

 

[R2elk]

FINALLY found the nest of my favorite hen. She is very sneaky. This is the first of my flock to ever not nest in the barn. So I have been checking and she is definitely gone broody and is full time on the nest. But it very venerable to coyotes/coons in her selected location. It was actually underneath a parked camper and when the camper moved there she was. Now she is just out in the open in knee high grass.

What is the best way to move her to the barn.. with out issues? If they are broody.. do they just see eggs and sit on them even though its a different location? I do not handle my birds and they dont allow me to touch or hold them under normal circumstances.

I do not even try to relocate a turkey nest. If I have a turkey that is trying to nest in an unsuitable situation, I take all the eggs. With my turkeys, messing with their nests is the quickest way to get my hens to abandon the nests especially if you chase the hen off of the nest and let her watch you take the eggs.

I try to keep plenty of suitable nesting sites available in safe areas to eliminate or at least reduce the chances of the hens choosing unsuitable sites. I also see the nests with fake eggs.

My guess is that if you really want to move the nest, capture the hen and place her and the eggs in a pen without any other birds in it. Provide at least a semi hidden place for the eggs. Depending on how broody she is, she may actually resume sitting on the eggs but she may also spend all her time pacing the pen trying to get out.

Either way she will not be sitting on a nest that is vulnerable to predators.

 

[sarcasm]

I've successfully relocated at least 4 different nesting turkey girls (which is actually a large percentage of the number of broody turkeys I've had). Here's my process:

Find the runaway bird (this is probably the hardest part).

Set up a suitable new nest spot. I use the large plastic dog moving crates, they work great, but you'll need a relatively small area (enough for the bird to walk a few steps but not much more) that's secluded and covered on 3 sides and the top, and without a way for anyone to get in or out except by a closable door (preferably that the hen can see out of). Add a small amount of food and water.

Now you'll need a friend for the next part. Grab the bird off the nest (use a net if needed). One person holds the hen and makes sure she can see her eggs. Deliberately, in full view, the other person collects every one of the eggs into something the hen can see them in (a wire basket or mesh net for example). Walk the bird and the eggs to the new nesting spot, making sure the hen can see the eggs the whole way.

Have the hen watch as you place all the eggs in the new nest spot (put them in the farthest most secluded corner, so she won't step on them when she tries to get back out the door), then put her in and shut the door. She may almost immediately go sit on the eggs again, or it might take a bit. Just walk away, she'll be fine.

Refresh feed and water as needed for at least 2-3 days, until you're confident that the hen is doing the "these are MY eggs" thing again. If you've put her new nest inside the coop/run, close that up and open her door. Watch to make sure she just runs out to relive herself, dust bathe, etc. and then goes back in. If so, you can probably leave the door open for her after that.

Good luck!