Designating a turkey nesting area.

[rssnbabybear]

I have a mixed flock of chikens and turkeys with only one coop and a very large fenced yard. My turkey hen has taken to laying her eggs on the floor of the coop, inside a small plastic shell of a dresser. I have a small A frame coop in the yard that I was hoping to put her in and I have been gathering her eggs daily to keep them clean and off the floor of the big coop. Is there any way I get get her interested in the A frame? If I put the eggs there will she be likely to nest them? Or should I let her get broody in the place she's laying now and then try to move her?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Turkey hens will pick their spots and it's almost impossible to change their minds. You are probably at the mercy of your hen. I would show her the place, perhaps with the eggs in there and see what happens.

 

[FarmerMac]

Put some fake eggs in the spot that you want her to nest. She may like it and use it. In the past it has worked for me. If not wait till she is broody and them move her.

 

[rssnbabybear]

If I wait until she goes broody, does it matter if I move her in the daytime or nighttime?

 

[FarmerMac]

I usually move the hens during the day so they can see the eggs. I have some fake goose eggs that I put in the nest, they look at them for a little while and then they sit in the nest. If she is full broody, after a couple of days I swap the eggs while she comes out to eat. If she will not leave the nest, I will pull her out so I can swap the eggs.