Eggs?

[geepy]

I have 2 tom's and 2 hens, when should I see eggs? I have set up a couple of nesting places but so far only my chickens have been laying in them. When should my 1 year old hens start laying? Everybody is free ranging in my yard. My tom's only seem to be attracting each other, the hens don't even be interested. Is there any thing els I can do to make evrybody happy? I know it is hens choice. Maybe they don't like the toms? I don't know.

 

[poultryfan73]

Quote:
Sadly im having the same problem! I have 5 turkeys along with 35 chickens and 3 guinea fowl. From 10 till dark they are free ranged. I have made nesting places as well and have the same results as you. Sorry i dont know what to tell you because im in the same situation. I guess were just gonna have to just wait. I HATE IT!

 

[kuntrygirl]

I have 1 tom and 2 hens. The hens are about 8 months old and are laying eggs EVERY DAY. They are laying in 2 different places but they are not setting on the eggs. Your 1 yr old hens should be laying eggs at this time. I have experienced that they hens will lay wherever THEY want to lay. Wherever they are comfortable and feel "safe", they will lay their eggs in that area. I set up a nesting box (large dog kennel) for my geese to lay their eggs but I found my turkey hen in there, so now she has layed about 5 eggs in the dog kennel. The only thing is the goose has gone broody and is now setting on both goose eggs and turkey eggs. Have you walked around and surveyed your property or the area where they are, to see if you can find turkey eggs laying elsewhere in different hiding areas? Where are the nesting boxes? From my own experiences with my hens, they like to lay their eggs in VERY VERY secluded areas I stumbled across 6 turkey eggs on last weekend. The area that they had layed the eggs was not set up as a nesting box area, so I assumed the hens felt that they are was secluded and out of the way. May I ask, why do you have 2 toms and 2 hens as opposed to 1 tom and 2 hens? Do your toms strut their stuff and around the hens? All of my chickens, turkeys free range all day long. I think that your hens and toms will soon mate. I guess they are taking their own sweet time. It'll happen. Just be patient.

 

[geepy]

The boxes are very secluded. I guess I'll just wait and see. I'm not sure what else to do.

 

[byoung14ever]

Not sure where you live but most midwest states its a little early for eggs yet from turkeys. The poster from Louisiana is getting eggs because of the longer days and warmer temps they experience down there. Toms have nothing to do with egg laying just fertilization. Give it two to three weeks and you will see some.

 

[Frosty]

Up here in ND I just got my first few eggs the other day... looks like turkeys in PA are delaying this year, too. Should be soon...

 

[kuntrygirl]

Yea, we do have longer days and the weather is very nice here in Louisiana. Forgot about that.

 

[Struttn1]

If your turkeys are free ranging then there is a good chance they are already laying somewhere. I don't let my hens free range especially during laying season. When they decide its time to sit the eggs they are easy pickens at night for predators. I would keep them penned for a day and watch the hens. If they furiously pace against the fence and constantly yelp they are wanting to go to the nest and lay. Let one out and keep an eye on where she goes and you should be able to find her nest. Next day do the same with another hen until you get all the nests located then you have to decide whether to gather the eggs or take a chance on letting them hatch the eggs where they are.

 

[Blisschick]

Turkey hens are masters at hiding a nest. I've nearly stepped on a few in my brushy backyard before I realized she was hiding there with her eggs. They generally like low, very secluded places where they can see everything, but you can't really see them. Like Struttn said, they could be laying elsewhere, and you'd never know it. If I notice one of the girls is absent from the yard during day when it's normal for everyone to be foraging around, I wait until she shows up again, then follow her to her nest. I tend to feed mine about the same time every day, so she'll show up to eat, and then I'll have to "innocently" follow her back to where she's hiding, because she knows she's being followed and will purposely stall so as not to give up her hiding spot. I've had them hide in the woods, down the street in the neighbor's yard, and even on top of the chicken coop!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Although my turkeys free range in about an acre of fenced property, that acre is still too big for them. I was out on that property just a few minutes ago and I found 3 eggs hidden in an old trash can that was laying on it's side. So, I have no idea how long the eggs have been there. I agree with what Struttn1 said about free ranging.

I did what Blisschick just talked about in reference to if one is missing. I noticed that 1 of my hens was missing and I walked around looking for her. I found her sitting on her nest. I"m sure she was just laying an egg. I doubt if she will sit on those eggs like i want her to. Geepy if you lived near me, you could have all of my turkey eggs because they are NOT setting.