Turkey breeding

[MamaHutch06]

I have a question. My Turkey hen laid her first egg on Nov. 19 (it is really cold where we live) and she now has 19 eggs...she lays some daily and some every other day. She sets on them sometimes and other times she does not. I have never been through this process with a turkey so I am unsure what to expect. Is it too cold for her to hatch them. Does she have to stop laying before she sets for good. or is what she is doing correct. Do I expect them to hatch 28 days from the day of the last egg laid? When do I candle them? I never marked them so I have no idea which ones where laid first. Her coop has a light on for warmth. Any info would be greatly appreciated

Merry Christmas!

 

[lotzahenz]

Hi and welcome. I am limited in my turkey knowledge, but I am sure your turkey is confused. Mine only lay during longer days (spring/summer/rarely fall) and your girl thinks it is summer with the extra light. I have not had any luck hatching by broody hen in the winter, however, if your coop is well heated and she rarely gets off her nest, you just might end up with some babies 28 to 30 days after her last egg is laid. Turkey eggs are tough, and if you want poults, stick them in an incubator and you'll have them warm enough for sure. Leave her some wooden eggs and give her back the babies later on maybe. Might just want to toss them, restrict the light and let her start again in the spring. Happy Holidays. HenZ

 

[cornish20]

Turkey's can lay and hatch any time of the year... It's not uncommon for our hens to hatch out Oct or Nov. clutches. Matter of fact, we had a hen hatch 12 in Oct, and started laying again in nov while couped up in the brooder with the poults.

It's natural for your hen to be on and off the nest.. That's when she's adding to it... Most turkey hens I've had, will lay about 5 eggs a week.. that means some every day, some every other. When she's ready, she'll set if she wants.. by now, it's getting pretty late... so if you think your eggs are fertile, and you actually want babies.. You'd be best to put them in a 'bator.

candle just like a chicken egg, even though the incubation is a week longer.

 

[MamaHutch06]

She has definitely set and she is not moving lol I saw her come out 1 time yesterday. It was brief and she was right back in. I want to candle them but I feel bad taking them from her. I can wait til Summer, I dont need a baby turkey right now lol I just want her to do whatever is natural to her. If we get poult(s) then we do and if we dont thats ok too. I have not got up the want to eat a turkey egg yet so its not like i am wasting the eggs. I plan on getting an incubator at some point but again I am in no rush and think it would be really cool if she did it all herself. I will keep you all posted on her progress. (I would attach pictures if I knew how lol)

 

[MamaHutch06]

Here's an update: She spent a few days on and off the nest and as of yesterday she had 24 eggs...She has been laying on them since yesterday very regularly! I tried to candle a few but have no idea what I am looking for. Also I have no idea how to tell if she has set. Just when i think she has, she lays another egg and spends some time off the eggs. I am very confused

 

[Ducks and Banny hens]

If they're BBs (Broad Breasted -), they can't reproduce.

 

[MamaHutch06]

They are Bourbon Reds

 

[mothernaturesdaughter]

My chickens have hatched chicks in February. Its kind of a pain because they do not leave the coop, and I have to make sure they have clean food and water all day and they make a mess. I feel bad when they go broody and let them hatch babies. It would be easier to have them inside. 3 of my hens have chicks about 2 months old right now. They are always going broody despite being free roaming birds. lol. I can't believe your turkey has 24 eggs that is just crazy cool.

 

[MamaHutch06]

I keep waiting for her to set and stay but everytime I think she has set she pops back up outside. For instance yesterday she was on the eggs all day, today she was on them all this morning and then she came out and didnt reset for hours. Also I numbered the eggs when she had 22 (because someone suggested it) then I numbered 23 and noticed #10 is missing...So now she has 1-25 numbered and 10 is missing. No Idea where it went, it is possible I miss numbered. I mean I am human but I feel pretty sure I didnt lol....God I just wish I understood what was going on. I keep telling my husband I should just forget they are there and let her do her thing but I am so interested and curious as to what is happening. It is so exciting!

 

[Ducks and Banny hens]

I just noticed the date - you're talking about now. Turkey's won't set now because their internal 'clocks' 'tell' them that it is the wrong time to hatch offspring: Offspring will be cold, very poor quality, etc.
19 eggs is a number at which she will set, but it varies.