Breeding issue, reluctant hen

[callieisspooky]

I have one tom and one hen, heritage bronze. Have been trying to get them to mate for two years now. Everything seems to go well until the end - the hen just won't lift her tail. Is there something I can do to intervene? Maybe a turkey saddle?

 

[ivan3]

If you could post up a shot of these two?

If he's all squared up and not slipping around, and they're habituated sufficiently to your presence - you could try using a thin plastic/bamboo garden pole to slip under her tail feathers and lift them as he's approaching "contact" mode.

So long as he's not using claws to prevent slipping (lacerating hen's flanks attempting to stay on) I'd not bother with the saddle. Turkey hens make the call on what tom they'll allow to breed. Usually, they don't "present" to unacceptable suitors.

You might consider borrowing a tom (if you know someone with well cared for HEALTHY birds) and introducing it to your hen. Would be interesting to know if she would be more receptive to a "novel" beau, after a week or so.