Naraggansett turkey hens wont lay what can I do?

[arabianequine]

I have 2 and one tom. Is there anything I can do to get them to lay better. I have gotten one good egg in like 3 weeks. There has been like four eggs in that time but either soft shell or are broke. They have oyster shell available at all times.

Thank you for any advice.

 

[NCIndiaBlue]

You could try adding vitamins and minerals to their water, and feed them a good game bird layer crumble or pellets. Mine also love small cat food pieces as treats, which are high in protein.

 

[zatsdeb]

I have standard bronze/royal palm mix and they have been laying since early spring... very early!!! I have hatched 5 as of last wed. and out of 4 hens, I get at least 3 eggs a day. do they have a lot of light? we have a light on in the chicken house to extend the daylight in the winter, and also lots of windows, and layer mash and corn is what we feed, plus kitchen scraps, and always oyster shells free access.

 

[MissPrissy]

What are you feeding them?

If you can't get turkey feed they need good game bird feed with high protein. Minimum a good breeder chicken feed should kick up the production.

Lots of green leafy things to eat as well.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

With the weather being up and down here our birds are laying all over the board. Somedays you get buckets full of eggs then it turns hot or cold again and it throws them off. Like the others have said good feed in key in turkeys. Right now we are feeding a 20% protien layer with extra oyster shell mixed in with the feed and we are boiling back all the extra eggs and feeding those. Lots of fresh greens as well.

Are they first year layers? often the first eggs from them are soft but they get better as they lay more.

Steve

 

[arabianequine]

I am feeding them all purpose poltury which is 17% protein. I also give either scratch or cracked corn usually. They have access to free oyster shell would it be better to mix into their food? I have been wondering if they even eat it well not lately anyways. I also give them alfalfa a lot they really like it they pick out all the leafy stuff and leave the rest. I give them other food like vegies a bit more than I do.


They are about a year old they started laying this last dec. but sometimes better then other times and been off now for the longest since they started laying in dec. I have an indoor coop and outdoor run for them it is staying light out till about 8 each night now.

 

[MissPrissy]

I would suggest closer to 20 - 24 % protein for their feed. Corn is candy, cut back on it or cut it out all together for about two weeks. Give them high protein laying feed for turkeys or game bird formula. Supplement with green leafy vegetables, some worms or meat scraps. Fresh clean water with raw ACV.

One year hens may not start laying until May or so. You can't rush it.

Oyster shell has nothing to do with the timing of egg laying. If they need calcium they will eat some. You may not notice them eating any of it at all until one day the container looks low. I wouldn't mix it in the feed because then you are using it as a filler and it has no protein value in their diet.

 

[NCIndiaBlue]

Quote:
Agreed 100%

 

[arabianequine]

Your saying feed them meat scraps? I did not know they could eat meat.

Could you give me ration of AVC to water please? Is this the same as wormer? I do put that in their water every once in a while.

You say they may not lay till May but they started laying in dec. and just been on and off so what have they been doing this whole time. I am kinda confused on that.

Edited to add: they don't really like the scratch or cracked corn.

Thank you!

 

[MissPrissy]

ACV is apple cider vinegar. It will give them a nutritional boost.

First year hens of any birds lay sporadically before they settle down and lay in a cycle.

Turkeys are seasonal layers. They will lay from Spring and the first of summer, often take a break during the hot season, and possibly lay a bit more late summer and into the first fall.


Your turkey hens are cycling sporadically. Their nutrition plays a huge roll in this, as does the length of sunlight.

Don't be so concerned over it. There isn't much you can do to fix other than to provide sound nutrition and let nature takes it course.

Also, you should watch for egg eating. With only 17% protein feed and corn they might be eating the eggs they are laying to compensate for the lack of a better feed option.