Broad breasted turkey laying eggs

[Ashmt51]

So whomever told me that my turkeys were females bc they were squatting for me was correct. At least one is as I found a nest with two eggs. I am not sure if there are any more eggs anywhere it’s a big yard with a huge field behind it. What’s the odds that the one I know is a male actually mates with any? They are 22 weeks and somewhere between 25-35 pounds.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Broad Breasted male's are usually too heavy to breed naturally. Most hatchery eggs and chicks for them come from AI

 

[Ashmt51]

Broad Breasted male's are usually too heavy to breed naturally. Most hatchery eggs and chicks for them come from AI

Is 25-35 too heavy to mate? No big deal if they are I can give her some duck eggs or chicks to hatch

 

[R2elk]

So whomever told me that my turkeys were females bc they were squatting for me was correct. At least one is as I found a nest with two eggs. I am not sure if there are any more eggs anywhere it’s a big yard with a huge field behind it. What’s the odds that the one I know is a male actually mates with any? They are 22 weeks and somewhere between 25-35 pounds.

If they are young, BBs can naturally mate. Hatcheries use AI because it is much more efficient. Even if the eggs are fertile, BBs do not do well brooding their eggs. If any do hatch, remove the poults as soon as they are dry and put them in a brooder. BB hens cannot move their legs as delicately as heritage hens can. Poults get stepped on and squashed.

The tom should be prevented from having access to the nest. Toms will take a hen sitting on a nest as an invitation to breed. The unwanted breeding attempt can result in broken eggs, an injured hen or in the worst case, a dead hen.

 

[Ab1010]

If they are young, BBs can naturally mate. Hatcheries use AI because it is much more efficient. Even if the eggs are fertile, BBs do not do well brooding their eggs. If any do hatch, remove the poults as soon as they are dry and put them in a brooder. BB hens cannot move their legs as delicately as heritage hens can. Poults get stepped on and squashed.

The tom should be prevented from having access to the nest. Toms will take a hen sitting on a nest as an invitation to breed. The unwanted breeding attempt can result in broken eggs, an injured hen or in the worst case, a dead hen.

well that is so good to know! I just started raising turkeys and I basically know nothing other then how to keep them alive!

 

[Little Doe Homestead]

well that is so good to know! I just started raising turkeys and I basically know nothing other then how to keep them alive!

I wouldn't try to breed your BB hen to a tom. It's not so much about whether or not they can do it, a lucky tom may be able to balance long enough, it'swhether or not it's safe. It's not just the crushing that's a risk. BB turks can struggle to breathe when being bred, even by a small tom. Their breast bone is shaped differently, smaller than naturally shaped turkeys. They can struggle to breathe when being bred, if they're picked up by people, and especially if they ever flip onto their backs. They can suffocate really, really quickly in these situations.

 

[Turkey Chick]

I have a male and female BB, she started laying eggs, but doesn’t sit on them. I just pick them up bc she will either step on them (which attracts ants) or I don’t want snakes and critters coming in to eat them! Luckily my male can’t fit under where she lays, not that he seems interested in mating!