I have two hens who have gone broody and set up a nest in the turkey coop (dirt floor - with a little straw). I also have 4 other girls and 3 boys. We lock them in at night and we have a heat lamp inside the coop.
We have an old chicken coop 5' x 5' available and I thought it might be a good idea to move the two broody girls and eggs into the old chicken coop. We could put a heat lamp and keep their water and food there. We would provide a ramp down into the turkey coop and pen area so they could go out and go poo and stretch their legs. When one girl gets up the other moves over the eggs so they seem to be taking turns.
We raised these turkeys (plus another 12 that we processed and sold) from day old chicks. We had to keep it very hot and teach them to eat and drink. All survived so we did okay
However, we know nothing about the nesting and mothering process by a hen. Do we need the heat lamp if the moms are with the eggs? Will the hens be too hot with a heat lamp? Will they teach them to eat and drink? How much should we worry about them or should we just let them be.
I am concerned that they have been lying on the dirt / straw and it was very cold last week - teens at night. We are starting week two of not taking their eggs (all or most of the girls laid all winter long - we got 3 or 4 a day and we took the eggs as it was too cold to hatch eggs).
Sorry for the long story... should I move them into their own coop with heat, food, water and access to the existing turkey coop and pen or just leave them? Anyway to tell if the eggs are fertile and still viable since it was so cold last week?
Thank you for any help and suggestions.
We have an old chicken coop 5' x 5' available and I thought it might be a good idea to move the two broody girls and eggs into the old chicken coop. We could put a heat lamp and keep their water and food there. We would provide a ramp down into the turkey coop and pen area so they could go out and go poo and stretch their legs. When one girl gets up the other moves over the eggs so they seem to be taking turns.
We raised these turkeys (plus another 12 that we processed and sold) from day old chicks. We had to keep it very hot and teach them to eat and drink. All survived so we did okay
However, we know nothing about the nesting and mothering process by a hen. Do we need the heat lamp if the moms are with the eggs? Will the hens be too hot with a heat lamp? Will they teach them to eat and drink? How much should we worry about them or should we just let them be.I am concerned that they have been lying on the dirt / straw and it was very cold last week - teens at night. We are starting week two of not taking their eggs (all or most of the girls laid all winter long - we got 3 or 4 a day and we took the eggs as it was too cold to hatch eggs).
Sorry for the long story... should I move them into their own coop with heat, food, water and access to the existing turkey coop and pen or just leave them? Anyway to tell if the eggs are fertile and still viable since it was so cold last week?
Thank you for any help and suggestions.
