*Turkey Hen Question*

[Fluffbutts84]

Hi there....I have a turkey Hen that has been sitting on eggs for a veeerrrry long time now and I don't believe the eggs are going to hatch. We had others hatch but her nest of eggs I believe are either not fertile or she waited to long to sit on them. At what point do I take the eggs away? I feel bad because she wants to be a mama and she's great with the other hens poults. So ultimately....to take away the eggs or not is my question?

 

[PirateGirl]

Perhaps you can candle the eggs and if any are developing, keep them, and if not, toss them. I'm not sure how dark the shells are or how thick, but hopefully you can candle them, it would be the easiest way to tell if any are developing or alive.

 

[Fluffbutts84]

Perhaps you can candle the eggs and if any are developing, keep them, and if not, toss them. I'm not sure how dark the shells are or how thick, but hopefully you can candle them, it would be the easiest way to tell if any are developing or alive.

We tried that...didn't see anything. Just was more concerned with taking her eggs away and what kind of reaction to expect. I feel bad, she has worked so hard...

 

[R2elk]

Hi there....I have a turkey Hen that has been sitting on eggs for a veeerrrry long time now and I don't believe the eggs are going to hatch. We had others hatch but her nest of eggs I believe are either not fertile or she waited to long to sit on them. At what point do I take the eggs away? I feel bad because she wants to be a mama and she's great with the other hens poults. So ultimately....to take away the eggs or not is my question?

When you say she has been sitting on them for a long time, you need to know how long. If she has been on them for 30 or more days, they are not going to hatch.

If she has been sitting on them for more than 30 days, take them away carefully so that you don't have any rotten ones explode on you. You may have to destroy the nest site or put something there so she has to abandon the nest site.

If you have somewhere you can separate her, you can try giving her a few of the already hatched poults. When doing this, observe her reactions. If she starts cooing and calling to them, give her a few days while she convinces them she is their mother. If she pecks at them, remove them and give up.