turkey broody

[farmerlor]

So the incubator is full now. Do you think if I just leave the turkey eggs out there in the nests the hens will eventually sit on them? The alternative is to keep taking the eggs and selling them I guess.

 

[KellyHM]

Yes. I couldn't keep my turkeys from going broody! They're worse than the darn Silkies!

 

[farmerlor]

So far they've shown no inclination whatsoever to sit on a nest but then we take their eggs everyday. I'm hoping that they'll help me hatch some out now that the incubator is full.

 

[AVizcaya]

Turkey hens are bit different than chicken hens, their broodiness is dependent on a particular number of eggs in a nest, usually 15-20. Don't know if they can count but it's like they have this magic number in their brain and when they get that many eggs in a nest, BINGO! and you are set.

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

Our midget white girls did not start setting until there were 9 eggs in the nest.
The breeder I got them from said that would put them in broody mode and just leave them until she lays on them, and they did!

 

[fancbrd4me02]

They have to collect a bunch, then they go broody. Mine usually go for about 20 eggs before they set.

 

[chickenannie]

Just so you know that turkeys don't lay as many eggs as chickens. If you keep taking the eggs, they may not lay enough for a nest. If you want them to set, you'll have to let it get up to 20 or 22 eggs that they can see every day.