Tom just not "accomplishing" his task

[redbarnmeadows]

Hi all,

Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I'm new here. This is my first year breeding turkeys. I have a 2-year-old tom and three less-than-a-year-old hens (all Bourbon Reds). The girls are laying very well, but they are not quite responding to the tom properly. I've seen him mount them, but then they won't lift their tail to make the connection, so he just stands on top of the flattened hen and desperately mates with air. I'm wondering how long it usually takes for them to figure things out and get the movements right. I'm worried that by the time they get it right the girls will have stopped laying. <sigh>

Just looking for moral support and reassurance I guess.

Thanks,
Jen

 

[FortWorthChicks]

no idea.

 

[featherbaby]

Maybe you should try a little candle light, soft music and a glass of wine?

 

[jenjscott]

Not sure on the mating part, mine didn't seem to have any trouble learning. But as long as you keep the eggs picked up, they should continue to lay for quite a while.

 

[PrinceSandwich]

Have you tried candling the eggs? maybe they are mating and your just not seeing it.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

I have a pair of BR's too. They will be a year old next month. I have the same thing going on here. My hen is flattened out and there don't seem to be any contact made by the Tom. I have checked the eggs though and they are fertile. So they are making contact at some point. I would sacrifice an egg and crack one open to see.

 

[redbarnmeadows]

Yes, the first batch of eggs that I put in the incubator were 4 out of 18 that looked fertile at one week. I'm waiting to see how the next set goes - just put them in yesterday. I'm hoping he's making contact at least some of the time. He's just not at all good at it yet.

Do toms normally take a long time to do the job? My roosters are usually on the girls and done in a matter of 10 to 15 seconds. My tom just kind of hangs out up there - seems like forever while they're smooshed underneath him as he's trying to figure out how to maneuver them. I just feel so bad for the hen.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Yup, that is what my Tom does. The hen does not seem bothered by the fact that there is a 25# Tom standing on her back. They are in that position for quite a while. Back to the eggs, have you cracked one open to see if it is fertile for sure?

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

turkey mating takes up to 5 min, the tom massages the hen quite awhile, the actually coupling take second and is very quick you might have missed it, and some tom massage the ground after. the hens do shake after like a chicken does

 

[redbarnmeadows]

No, I haven't. I figure I'll know in a week after they go in the bator. Fingers crossed for this next set that he's at least maybe getting better.