Turkey Breeding

[Wilder Family]

We are down to one female turkey (ate the Tom for thanksgiving). She seems to be in heat and we are considering raising chicks. She's 8 months old, a standard bronze (we think) and happy and healthy in a free range yard/coop with our flock of 10 chickens. Is there anyway to order turkey sperm online or...? Thanks!

 

[Marlinchaser]

Wheres Steve when you need him???

 

[Wilder Family]

Who's Steve? Sorry, this is my first post. I think my post heading needs changing...

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Steve of Sands Poultry The Turkey GURU of BYC, http://www.sandspoultry.com/

I know they do AI with BB turkeys, but not sure if they send it through the mail. I would think it would be cheaper to buy hatching eggs(which you could get from Sands Poultry), assuming that the sperm would have to be kept at a certain temp delivered and administered quickly. Is she laying eggs right now? Unless she is you would just be waisting the sperm anyway.

 

[Wilder Family]

Thanks for the info. She is laying eggs, about 5 a week, for the last 2 months. This would be a waste of time to fertilize her? I didn't know that. I'll check out Steve the Turkey Guru link as well. Her behavoir got very different as of today, a lot of outstretched quivering wings, raised tail and exposed let, when someone goes up to pat her.

 

[Wilder Family]

Sorry, misread your post. yes she's egg laying so thats a good sign.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
That means she is ready to be mounted(and the silly turkey want YOU to be her mate)

, so she is old enough, and ready, but as far as getting the sperm to inseminate, that I dont know.

 

[Wilder Family]

That gives a whole new meaning to "Animal Husbandry"!! My husband thinks this is a hoot!!

 

[pdpatch]

I have never seen turkey sperm for sale or heard of it. When you artificially inseminate turkeys is has to be within hours. so I don't think t would be viable if it was shipped.


About the only thing you can do is find some one with the Type of Tom you would want the hen to bread with and see if you can keep them together for a while.

Tom

 

[onthespot]

Hi, I answered your other post.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3400229#p3400229
I live nearby and have an extra Midget White tom from Steve, and S and S poultry. Had to split up the two toms due to they both liked the same two girls and were fighting too much. He is just sitting alone in a large cage, pacing... pining, I'm sure he would love to come visit your girl... We could split eggs.