Breeding in a domesticated turkeys

[watson35]

could you please tell me when domesticated turkeys breed? because I think 2 of mine have breeded I just didn't think that they did it in the fall

 

[R2elk]

could you please tell me when domesticated turkeys breed? because I think 2 of mine have bred I just didn't think that they did it in the fall

Normally turkeys that are hatched in one year don't breed until the next spring. Turkeys that are hatched early enough in the year will be physically mature enough to breed by the fall of that year. If your turkeys are getting supplemental light, it can throw them off and cause them to breed outside of the normal times.

@OneMountainAcres has turkey eggs in her incubator that are fertile right now. She does provide her turkeys with supplemental light.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Yes, they can breed and lay in the fall with supplemental light and if hatched early enough in the year. One or two of my young ladies started almost a month ago. I have 5 eggs due to hatch next week and more due in a few more weeks. I was surprised to get fertile eggs this late in the year. Usually, even with adding light, I don't get eggs until December.

 

[watson35]

Normally turkeys that are hatched in one year don't breed until the next spring. Turkeys that are hatched early enough in the year will be physically mature enough to breed by the fall of that year. If your turkeys are getting supplemental light, it can throw them off and cause them to breed outside of the normal times.

@OneMountainAcres has turkey eggs in her incubator that are fertile right now. She does provide her turkeys with supplemental light.

what exactly is supplemental light? and if they did breed would it be ok for them

 

[R2elk]

what exactly is supplemental light? and if they did breed would it be ok for them

Supplemental light is providing them with additional light usually from some sort of light bulb to increase the amount of hours that are lighted for them when the daylight hours become shorter.

As long as the tom knows what he is doing and there are not multiple toms and only a couple of or just one hen. If there are multiple toms they can seriously harm a hen as they fight over her. It is common for one tom to knock another tom off of the hen's back during breeding attempts. This can lead to serious injuries and even death for the hen if a tom accidentally rips her side open while trying to maintain his place on her back.