Question Turkey hen on LOTs of eggs! UPDATE NOW THEIR FIGHTING

[ziggywiggy]

I tried letting two Midget Whites set on a nest and when the eggs started hatching they started fighting and killed most of the new poults. I believe their motherly instincts kicked in and they were trying to protect the young from each other. However, other people have had success with more than one turkey setting a nest. Personally, I would move two hens, put some of the eggs in an incubator and let one hen have the nest with about 14 eggs.

 

[chickenannie]

I had 2 hens set on a nest together and the hatch was poor, only about one-third hatched -- they cracked a couple in the process because one was always trying to push the others away. So I agree with the others. Just divide the eggs and/or make sure you have 2 other nesting spots for the other hens.
I tried to let the two hens mother the chicks that did hatch, but one did the same thing -- always trying to "steal" the others chicks and then protecting "her" chicks from the other hen and killed a few of them. Sometimes they were fine both mothering together, but I think it is too confusing to the hens when they are both being protective.

 

[turkey guru]

when you have a buzy coop ( lots of birds coming and going) your hen ,will stomp to death the poults trying to protect them, with two or three hens 2 or 3 times the trouble! seperate them put in own box after dark! and space between them 10 ft! I have learned that letting hens hatch there own, never works out well, unless they can be all alone, all the time!! sorry I did not speak up sooner here its comes we never have any problems, but there are problems and most will have them! we learn everyday tom!!!

 

[fancbrd4me02]

It's best to seperate the hens and thier babies from the flock when they have hatched. If the hens can be alone or where they feel safe, they are excellent mothers (the heritage breed ones are anyway).

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

So much to my pocket books dismay I went and bought a galvanized stock tank and put a mesh lid on top to put one of the girls in it (the one who lays consistently and gave her most of the eggs) put her in her own little corner of the turkey house, so hopefully they will quit fighting over eggs and get back to business I WANT TURKEY POULTS! THANKS EVERYONE