Is she producing fertile eggs?

[Arielle]

I was reading a book, since I know nothing personally about hatching eggs, which clearly indicated that fertility of hatching eggs decreased sustantailly in July and August. At least this applies to chickens. Does this also apply to turkeys? I'm planning to buy a tom and hen (1 yr old) soon and need to know if I should start incubating eggs. ( owner said tukey hens do not make good mothers.) I'm CONFUSED!!!! How can heritage breeds like turkeys be bad mothers????

 

[ColbyNTX]

Fertillity does decrease in late season but you can still incubate and get some poults. Some hens make great mothers and others not so good.

 

[Arielle]

What is "late season"? I've read some people get eggs, though fewer, into the fall; DOes this depend on the region/climate and/or day length? HOw can I increase fertility?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

When the weather is blazing hot fertility tends to sag. It doesn't go to zero, but it may cost you twenty or thirty percent. It's not just the hen, but the tom as well.

About the best you can do is make sure they have plenty of shade, good air flow, and clean, fresh water. It's still worth incubating just don't expect to have the same hatch rate that you'd have in the spring when the weather is cooler.

 

[MissTurkey4]

Quote:
All of the above plus heat effects the semen. You will even notice the toms loose intrest in the hens. Fighting from the toms also decrease. The yolk wall weakens, and the egg breaks down, when the weather is above 70 before incubation.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Quote:
Here in Texas, this is late season! I can't speak for MA.

 

[Arielle]

I love this forum--thanks to all of you for your replies!