My Hens Aren't Setting!

[Dbl T in CO]

I have 2 hens & 1 tom. Mating season has definitely started at our house. The girls are laying and have around 10 eggs in their nest. Last year they took turns setting and my tom even sat on the eggs which gave the girls a break. But so far this year no one is setting on the eggs.

The hens are not quite 3 and the tom is 2.

Does anyone have any thoughts on why they’re not setting on their eggs this year?

 

[Dogfish]

Check eggs for fertility. If fertile, you have three choices.

1. Sell extras on Craigslist.
2. Buy an incubator
3. Eat eggs until they decide to set.

I bought an incubator on Craigslist to give me 2 incubators, set some eggs, and I am selling some. I'll hatch as many as I can and then let the hens hatch out a batch once I've collected enough.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Turkeys usually lay around 18 eggs before they sit.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Last year, all of my hens layed around 15 - 18 before they decided to set and all hatched.

 

[Dbl T in CO]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to work on patience and let them do their thing.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
Keep us posted.

 

[matt090303]

wish mine were laying that well

 

[crj]

Quote:
That is so good to know. I'm a first time turkey owner and I have yet to see an egg. They will be a year I think in June. I have a tom that is 2 or going to be 2. I have heritage bronze turkeys. One female and the tom finally figured out what they were suppose to do. Well, for the most part. The other hen has no desire for male companionship at this time. Maybe I will be lucky and see a bunch of babies some day.

 

[pampered_poultry]

The wild turkeys here lay 18 or more before they sit.

 

[aussieheelr]

Now a question along the same line... do you just leave the eggs out in the nest or bring them in and rotate? Don't they need some to set on, can you use decoy eggs (wood/plastic/golfballs)?