She just laid an egg!!!

[Pampered Hen]

Instead for for coop she headed into the bushes at dusk tonight. I ushered her back to the coop but she kept pacing at the door. When I just checked on her I found this gorgeous egg on the floor by the coop door!! The only occupants are her and her mate, so there is no confusion about the egg, it is hers. And I thought she wouldn't start laying until next spring!
So far, she hasn't shown any interest in her mate (while he has been strutting for her for months now). On the contrary, she has been squatting - for ME!!!
Now, is my Trudy a bit confused about her choice for a mate? And what about the timing?? Do I have a "special" turkey on my hands or did I miss some basic facts on turkey biology???

 

[Olive Hill]

Turkey laying season is in the spring, but some will lay in the fall. I have a Narragansett that not only decided to lay this fall after a full summer off, but is broody to boot. As for her mate, I think she'll get the hang of it. He, too, may need some time to figure it all out but once he starts trying they'll get it in short order.

 

[PatS]

Congratulations! How old is she? Have she and the male been mating as far as you know? Curious because I have 3 BR girls born this spring, too.

 

[Pampered Hen]

She is 7 months and that egg was her very first. I sure hope she will not get broody in the winter - particularly if her eggs are not fertilzed.
Her egg really cought me by surprise. We don't even have a nest box yet...

 

[PatS]

If you can, post a pic for us.

My turkeys are confused, too. The girls chase the chickens and my boy spends his day trying to capture the attentions of an empty coffee can... at least I think that is what he is trying to do. He stamps his feet on and around it. None of them are happy when the roosters do what roosters will do in front of them, and they all chase the chickens then. Just another crazy day on the homestead.

 

[Tunastopper]

I have had the hens drop at my feet and follow me around a lot. I have not seen any eggs but they are free ranged during the day right now. Today I noticed the toms are getting busy. Mine normally do not breed unless the hen is laying or about to lay. I would not think I would get many eggs this time a year and they usually would not be fertile even with the toms breeding.

 

[Pampered Hen]

Pat - a picture of what? The squatting hen, the egg??
I sure am glad, that Franklin, the tom doesn't suffer from sexual confusion. He only has eyes for the turkey girl He seems so loyal AND patient - even when she squats for me. You would think he should be jealous

 

[ShadyHoller]

All our birds were born in the spring, and the hens have been allowing the toms to mount them for a few weeks now. We also have a BR hen who just started laying. Does anyone know if she will lay again in the spring, or is this her one try for the year? If she isn't going to lay again in the spring, then I need to figure out which one she is, and put her on the "traveling team." (The team that will be traveling to the freezer.)

Thanks. We're new to turkeys. It's been a big surprise to discover how subtly, but thoroughly, they are different from chickens.

 

[bigdawg]

she will lay again in the spring

 

[PatS]

Quote:
The egg. I am so envious!