Turkey breeding

[MamaHutch06]

Is this true even if she has a light on

 

[Ducks and Banny hens]

Quote:
Probably. Artificial lighting tampers with that 'internal clock', but I think the hens can still tell. Many on this sight seem to ignore (or don't know of)the old rule about hatching offspring, that offspring at this time of year will (usually) be stupider, weaker, slower growing, and turn into less vigorous adults. Nobody seems to know why this is, but it's been around for quite a time. My advice is to ignore the turkey hen's setting, until spring. Actually, I've never heard of turkeys even laying at this time of year.

 

[SycolinWoodsChickens]

Actually turkeys do lay eggs at this time of year. Search through the turkey forum and you will see quite a few people mentioning that their turkeys lay in the middle of winter.

I don't have a lot of turkey experience but I do know that ducks and chickens are not really broody until they stop laying eggs. If you turkey is still laying then she is not really interested in sitting on the nest.

Our female turkey is laying and has been for a month. She occasionally sits on the eggs and complains when we collect them. She has not really gone broody and has not stopped laying. All our toms went to freezer camp so even if she went broody it would be useless. We will keep collecting her eggs.

At some point I'd bring in the older eggs or you might have one 'explode' in the nest and ruin the others. We had this happen with duck eggs last year and now I am much more careful to mark and date my eggs to prevent that from happening again.

Good luck with your turkey.

 

[MamaHutch06]

Thank you for the information! I know that they lay this time of year, despite what most people say, I am currently watching it happen lol. I did number them but I didnt realize why people did that so I didnt do it right away. The first 22 numbered eggs where all numbered the same day. Therefore I have no idea what order they were laid in lol Boy have I learned alot and definitely will number and date them next time. I wish there was a way for me to see if they are fertile and actually able to hatch or not. I have tried the candling but dont have a clue what I am looking at. Also I am under the impression that you don't candle til after she has stopped laying and set. Like I said I dont believe she has stopped and set yet. She spent most of yesterday in the yard.

 

[MamaHutch06]

So I have a broody Chicken. What are the thoughts on taking a couple of the last laid eggs and placing them under her. Would this work?

 

[SycolinWoodsChickens]

Most of my birds (ducks and chickens) that have been broody will sit on any eggs. Last year we had a chicken hatch our ducks.

My turkey has set (for the 1/2 day she was interested) on turkey, duck, and chicken eggs - all in the same nest! She was very busy getting that collection together.

I'm sure she would sit on them if she was broody but do you think the eggs are strong enough for a big turkey to be sitting on them? Our turkey hen has broken a few duck eggs in her attempt to become broody.

Hopefully others with more experience will help you with this one!

 

[MamaHutch06]

I want the chicken to sit on the turkey eggs, not the turkey to sit on the chicken eggs lol

 

[ColbyNTX]

double post, sorry!

 

[ColbyNTX]

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[MamaHutch06]

we do have a light for heating purposes. We also have a brooder inside that they will be put in when they hatch as it is way to cold outside for them.