How can my turkeys lay in the nest?

[Akwasi]

My turkey hen are not laying in the nest. I googled around and stumbled on this http://turkeyview.blogspot.com/2015/10/encouraging-turkeys-to-lay-in-nest.html

Is it true?

 

[R2elk]

My turkey hen are not laying in the nest. I googled around and stumbled on this http://turkeyview.blogspot.com/2015/10/encouraging-turkeys-to-lay-in-nest.html

Is it true?

Some parts of it are true. My turkey hens for the most part do prefer a place that is secluded. The number one preferred nesting spot for my hens is a pallet leaned against a wall. Turkey hens do not like their nest being messed with.

During laying season I keep a fake goose egg in the nesting spots that I want the hens to use. If you do have a turkey laying in a nest somewhere, the quickest way to get her to abandon the nest is to keep taking all the eggs from the nest. She will then make a new nest in a place that she thinks is better hidden which may make it more difficult to find.

When my hens get to make a nest while they are out free ranging they tend to make the nest in a different place every year. I have not had them return to the site of the previous year's nest.

If your preferred nest is in a site that should be acceptable to your hens, try putting a fake egg or two in the nest to see if attracts them.

Good luck.

 

[Akwasi]

Some parts of it are true.  My turkey hens for the most part do prefer a place that is secluded.  The number one preferred nesting spot for my hens is a pallet leaned against a wall.  Turkey hens do not like their nest being messed with.

During laying season I keep a fake goose egg in the nesting spots that I want the hens to use.  If you do have a turkey laying in a nest somewhere, the quickest way to get her to abandon the nest is to keep taking all the eggs from the nest.  She will then make a new nest in a place that she thinks is better hidden which may make it more difficult to find.

When my hens get to make a nest while they are out free ranging they tend to make the nest in a different place every year.  I have not had them return to the site of the previous year's nest.

If your preferred nest is in a site that should be acceptable to your hens, try putting a fake egg or two in the nest to see if attracts them.

Good luck.

Thanks so much. Seems to work! One of the hens walked just straight into the nest. Let's see what happens