Is it normal for tom to incubate?

[Bolaji]

I have a female that has laid up to 40 eggs for over 2month(Aug-Oct). The male and female were caged before. When i move to a new site where there are bushes around us,d female starts laying in the bush.i left it,only not to find both turkeys again. One after i went to the bush and saw the tom lying beside the female.i drove it off,only to find eggs underneath the tom.wow! Then i knew the female was incubating. I went to check on them the next day and found the tom with eggs again,this time,he took al the eggs from the female and she was just laying on empty ground.i'm confuse. Does tom really incubate? Today,the tom is here with the eggs under him.should lock him up or allow him incubate?will he hatch the eggs just as the females do?

 

[DuckieLover2014]

Weird. My worry would be the Mom straying away from them. And will Tom hurt them after they hatch? Will Tom stray away after there hatched and leave behind confusied or much needed care for them as babies??

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I don't know a thing about Turkeys, but in many breeds of Gamebirds, males do incubate. I keep quail and my males incubate eggs all the time. But you might want to ask this question in our Turkeys section for more help from those "Tom" experts. https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/20/turkeys

Good luck and I hope you get a great hatch!!

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[drumstick diva]

That is really interesting. I know Emu males incubate the eggs, & also penguins, never knew anyone with turkeys. Welcome to BYC- hope you will pass on any comments made by the turkey people.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!