turkey hen

[abikalyss]

One of my turkey hens has decided to sit on her eggs. I believe they are infertile and highly doubt even one will hatch, my husband believes they will and want to let her lay. If they do not hatch in time will she give up and leave them or is this going to be a problem?

 

[R2elk]

One of my turkey hens has decided to sit on her eggs. I believe they are infertile and highly doubt even one will hatch, my husband believes they will and want to let her lay. If they do not hatch in time will she give up and leave them or is this going to be a problem?

You can take and break one of the eggs and check to see if it is fertile.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/16008/how-to-tell-a-fertile-vs-infertile-egg-pictures

If you do let her set and the eggs do not hatch it is very likely to become a problem. Broody turkeys can be difficult to break but there are methods that can work.

 

[abikalyss]

We cant get the eggs away from her. We were going to candle them.

 

[feedman77]

if you can watch her there will be times at least once a day or every other she will get off the nest to eat drink, and take a broody poo. watch those very smelly.

while she is off the nest grab them and candle.

mine if they got off the nest were about 15 to 30 minutes.

 

[feedman77]

do you have a tom?

or how long has the hen been away from a tom?

 

[abikalyss]

We have a tom but I've seen his attempts at mating. He goes for their wing every time. I've never once seen him do what he's supposed to.

 

[feedman77]

if you have a tom even if he's clumsy there is a possibility that he got it done correctly.

I would give the eggs a chance.

 

[abikalyss]

Have to, she won't take no for an answer. I'm just worried she'll be a waste. We got her for food, not to reproduce.

 

[abikalyss]

Eggs are gone, only logical suspect is a fox. Turkey lived and is in coop grieving.

 

[feedman77]

if the hen is still around. my guess would be coon or possum. fox probably would have taken hen before eggs