Broody hens

[Maeser]

I have 4 turkey hens who are broody. I evicted the Tom today so he is not trying to breed setting hens. How long will the hens be expected to lay fertile eggs without the Tom? Is it about the same as for chickens?

 

[R2elk]

I have 4 turkey hens who are broody. I evicted the Tom today so he is not trying to breed setting hens. How long will the hens be expected to lay fertile eggs without the Tom? Is it about the same as for chickens?

There have been cases of fertility continuing up to 2 months. Realistically the hens should continue laying fertile eggs until they quit laying for this clutch. Once they go truly broody and stop laying to incubate and hatch their clutch, they will need to see a tom again in order to start laying fertile eggs again.

 

[jopheso]

Yup! If they are actually broody, like sitting a clutch all day and getting up once a day, then they aren't laying anyway.

 

[Maeser]

Thanks!!