do turkeys need a nest box??????

[lilbreeches]

crazy question. just wondered if turkeys need nest boxes or do they just pick a place and make their own nest. my turkeys are not laying yet but will soon I hope

. If they do prefer a box, how big and should it be in the run or in their house?

 

[arllcountrygirl]

My hens started laying in dd playhouse.

She went missing and I couldn't find her and started looking around for her. She was coming out the window. So I took a Large rubber feed tub and stuck in there and put some leaves in it - it was what I had handy at the moment. Now she goes in there and lays about an egg a day.

They want a hidden spot away from everything if possible, you can also use the bottoms of cutoff barrels.

 

[lilbreeches]

ok cool. i can do barrels. do they give any kind of signs they are getting ready to lay. these are young hens (2) and 1 tom. people we got them from were not sure of age. the tom has been showin off the last few days and one of the hens makes a funny sound back to him. is that signs?

 

[pdpatch]

Some turkeys will refuse to use the nest you make, other will use them.

The young Jakes will begin the matting dance long before the Hens are ready to mate. The sound may just be getting use to one and other.

When the Hens starts to lay down next to the Jake, and allow him to mount her, then she is ready. She may lay a few eggs before this.

Our Red Bourbon hen, just started to lay in January with no real signs. We just started to find eggs that were frozen.

Tom

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

put soemthing in there the size of the hen to get in, most times they dont use them here though. They prefer to dig out a hole and make their own, especially our wild breeds. The royals use one about 1/3 of the time. They like to be secluded, try piling up some tree tops and brush they will lay in that every time!
Aubrey

 

[sandspoultry]

All of our turkeys use the nest boxes in the chicken houses.
They are nice size nest boxes about 18 in X 18 in.
Sharon

 

[lilbreeches]

Quote:
this seems like a great idea. wonder why i didn't think of that. what about a house. do turkeys need a hen house like chickens?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

They may or may not use those either, my wild strains wont even think of going in one. My royals will at times, they take the weather very well. I'd give them some form of shelter at least and let it be their choice.
Aubrey

 

[lilbreeches]

k thanks for the great info.

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
Ours are the same way, they stay out in all weather. The only time we force them to go in is for a hurricaine or tropical storm- and they don't like it.

Steve