Turkey eggs

[alliblue]

I have all but given up hope that my pair of Giant Whites even like each other. My hen lays 4-6 eggs a week but after dozens and dozens of unhatched eggs I am wondering if the problem is with the chemistry between the two birds. Anyone else have an issue with the pair losing interest in each other?

 

[R2elk]

I have all but given up hope that my pair of Giant Whites even like each other. My hen lays 4-6 eggs a week but after dozens and dozens of unhatched eggs I am wondering if the problem is with the chemistry between the two birds. Anyone else have an issue with the pair losing interest in each other?

Giant White are a broad breasted turkey. This variety was developed as a fast growing meat turkey.

Broad breasted turkeys are typically reproduced through artificial insemination because their bodies normally get too big to properly mate naturally.

Just because you are not seeing the mating attempts does not mean they are not happening and even if they are trying to mate does not mean they are successful at it. Normal results from broad breasted turkeys trying to mate naturally are infertile eggs and/or injured hens.

Some people have success using a heritage tom to breed their broad breasted hens but even then the success rate decreases with the hen's age.

 

[alliblue]

Giant White are a broad breasted turkey. This variety was developed as a fast growing meat turkey.

Broad breasted turkeys are typically reproduced through artificial insemination because their bodies normally get too big to properly mate naturally.

Just because you are not seeing the mating attempts does not mean they are not happening and even if they are trying to mate does not mean they are successful at it. Normal results from broad breasted turkeys trying to mate naturally are infertile eggs and/or injured hens.

Some people have success using a heritage tom to breed their broad breasted hens but even then the success rate decreases with the hen's age.

Thank you R2elk. They are pets but I adore them and would love babies. I will just have to find some non related turkeys to add to the farm.

 

[Brittwearsboots]

You could also contact the person you got your turkeys from. If they breed certain birds together, they can create sterile toms and make it impossible to reproduce. It's something shiesty people do to keep business through them. My hatchery lady told me to be careful about them

 

[R2elk]

You could also contact the person you got your turkeys from. If they breed certain birds together, they can create sterile toms and make it impossible to reproduce. It's something shiesty people do to keep business through them. My hatchery lady told me to be careful about them

Please post a source since I am not aware of how a person can breed to make sterile toms. This sounds like something a person would make up to try to keep a client from buying from others.

 

[Brittwearsboots]

If you breed hyrbids, much like a mule/hinny, they're sterile due to genetics.

 

[R2elk]

If you breed hyrbids, much like a mule/hinny, they're sterile due to genetics.

Since turkeys don't cross with any other poultry and all domestic turkeys are the same genus and species (Meleagris gallipavo), your mule/hinny reference does not apply. Donkeys and horses while being the same genus are different species.

 

[Brittwearsboots]

Ok, so I asked some more questions and did some research. It's actually a common thing when people are at large animal expos, and it's sterilization caused by poor conditions prior to obtaining the birds. Bacteria and antibodies cause 1 in 3 to be sterile.

 

[Brittwearsboots]

I misunderstood some things. My apologies!

 

[R2elk]

Ok, so I asked some more questions and did some research. It's actually a common thing when people are at large animal expos, and it's sterilization caused by poor conditions prior to obtaining the birds. Bacteria and antibodies cause 1 in 3 to be sterile.

I guarantee you that it is not a common thing among turkeys.