should i cull him?

[birdbrain5]

This is my turkeys second breeding season, so I figured things should go more smoothly and have better luck with fertility. Last year I saw my tom trying to mate and it was pittiful, he would just stand on the hens back having no idea how to get things done. I did hatch out poults so he connected a few times, but at the end of the season fertility wasnt so good, plus my season was short for whatever reason i have no idea.
Im suprised to see him doing the same thing this year, is this normal or is he just not getting it? Is it time to cull and get a new tom in here to get the job done?

 

[birdbrain5]

no one has any suggestions?

 

[Mattemma]

I don't know a thing about turkeys,but if I were in your situation I would bring another tom in.Seperate the current one either with some girls,or just pen him up.Easiest thing would be to cull him and get the new one,but I am one to hang on to animals as long as they are not mean.

If I could I would hang on to him to see if things improved.

 

[Frosty]

I don't know where you are located, but the days could still be a bit short for breeding season. I am in ND and doubt that there is any breeding going on yet.

 

[wrfuzz]

He can do only what the hen let him do. You must not be married, it's the same everywhere.

 

[anderson8505]

He can do only what the hen let him do. You must not be married, it's the same everywhere.

 

[FarmTillURdead]

Maybe I can help -
Weight could be an issue if your Tom is too heavy it may be hard for him to balance up there. That's why he stands there for so long trying to shift his weight around. Cutting WAY back on feed before breeding season seems to help me. They should be crazy at your feeder once a day. Not milling about deciding to eat or not.
Hens will also stop laying if they are too fat. Fat deposits build up near "the egg laying port hole" and it tells the body to stop making eggs. I have fed my chickens into dry seasons nearly every year working Turkeys up to Thanksgiving weights. (I run them together.)
You might slaughter a hen and see how much fat you have stored inside there - it's a good learning experience to see what your feed pratices do.
The addition of another Tom also could help and there is a little more competition and he might feel the need to "hurry up". I keep 3. They will have to battle out a pecking order. I have been very fortunate this year so far - all of my eggs have been fertilized.
LOL! It doesn't mean I'll be able to figure out how to incubate this first round though! Dang thing is all over the place!