Stupid breeding questions

[cashela]

Ok so I'm still new to the turkey/bird thing.

My BBW has started laying eggs, four so far, the first three she didn't seem to care about, the fourth I found her sitting on it. I took it away because I know it's not a fertile egg since I don't have a tom. I have been looking for a heritage tom just to have as a pet, but now that she is laying eggs and showing an interest on sitting on them I kind of think it would be neat if I could see if I could get her to hatch out some eggs.

So first, is what I want impossible? How much time do I have to find a tom before she stops laying etc. How does it "work" does a tom breed the hen every day or is it a one time deal? I know stupid questions... Another question, should I let her keep a couple of eggs to sit on now so she continues to sit on them in case I do find a tom or is that just plain mean?

*sigh* maybe I should just find some baby heritage turkeys and raise em up and try next year.

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

You have alot of time. Take her eggs everyday and she will keep laying. Hens can store sperm for about 3 weeks.

 

[cashela]

Thanks! *psych* someone on craigslist just posted an ad for a narragansset tom!!! I sent them an e-mail. I hope he is what I am looking for and still available!!!!

 

[cashela]

Here are two of the eggs I collected...

 

[Dust Bunny]

just dont do what i did and let her set on chicken eggs, it ended badly with mostly developed chicks that were crushed by the VERY heavy turkey hen, so heartbreaking

you could order hatching eggs that might be an answer for you