Should I let the turkey hen set this late in the season?

[bargain]

Hubby and I separated the toms from the girls 12 days ago....We have found a turkey (royal palm) on her nest of eggs laid since then. We moved her and she moves back....She definitely intends to raise these out....In the past we've always gathered the turkey eggs for selling or hatching.....

At this time of year, temps are getting fairly low - 40's at night....Is there a chance of their hatching....Should I take them from the hen???? She's protected from predators as we have a great LGD with them.....

What would you do.....Really want some advice.

Thanks and have a blessed day.

 

[justusnak]

Does she have a coop/hut to get into once the babies are hatched? They would need to be out of the cold winds at night. I think...if it were me....I would let her set them. However, mine go into a turkey hut at night, and I am able to put heat on them if necessary.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[chseeads]

Since you're in the south it might not be too bad. How cold do your Dec & Jan get?

 

[chickenannie]

Even if she hatches them, they likely won't be able to stand much cold so you'll have to put them in a brooder is my guess. Mine grew so fast they were too big to all fit under momma in like 4 weeks, but then you'd still be in the middle of January. Only do it if you're prepared to brood them yourself.

 

[bargain]

Yes, we'll keep a watch out on those baby poults when hopefully they are born and prepare to be the broody hen..... Even though we have some mild days here... in general I would think it's just too cold! I will go ahead and let her try to hatch them though.....

Thanks for all the advice....Keep it coming. We've never let a hen raise out her own...but since she started, then we'll let her continue as long as she's comfortable and sheltered and she is...

 

[houndit]

I let my Turkeys set often. They usually do a really good job. Here in Missouri I can not let them set this late. I do not know what the weather in Georgia is like. If they hatch in December it might be a bit cold?

 

[MandyH]

I don't know about letting them set this late in the year, but I DO know that a broody turkey is like no other bird when it comes to determination. I would think go ahead and let her set, she's not gonna stop til she does LOL!!

 

[bethinoklahoma]

I sure hope mine will be lke this come this Spring... I have a wonderful
set of Palms as well...

 

[ziggywiggy]

The first time I had a turkey hatch was in Febuary last year. Temperatures were below freezing every night. I did have her in a small pen (6x6x6) with a lot of straw on the ground and I boarded up the pen the best I could. My original intention was to let her hatch and then I would brood them, but after they hatched I kept a very close watch and everthing went well.
After about two weeks, I started putting the hen and poults into my front yard during the day. At night I put her back in her pen. I might add, I do live in Southern AZ. where daytime temperatures in Febuary can get up into the 70's.
The poults knew that there was warmth under their mom and when I put them in my yard the hen kept them moving and when they quit moving she would gather them under her.

 

[Pavo Royale]

Poults will bring a premium in the early spring.