Turkey is nesting very high off the ground. How do I move her?

[LynnPG]

So my Royal Palm turkey went broody. She went broody on a shelf, four feet off the ground. How can I move her? She hisses at me and is ready to fight.

She started laying eggs there and we have removed them. We went away for 10 days and had someone set to collect the eggs and fresh water for us, but they caught that nasty virus going around. Our set up is set for two weeks feed and water. Just in case something happens to us I know our animals will be ok. (our 2 dogs & chicken). So we thought we're ok.

Any way, if I move the nest she would go back to lay eggs up there again untill she has a bunch.

She cried when I took her last eggs. She was nesting on one egg. Two days later she was nesting again on the shelf. I'm think wow she's reallywants to nest, here she is on one egg again. Low and behold four of my hens laid eggs for her there up on the shelf and she had her one egg in with theirs.

We came bach home from vacation to her laying about 12 eggs. She went to get water and food and We removed the hens eggs. How can I move the nest? She is determine.

I think every time she leaves to get water and food a hen is laying an egg in with her eggs.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Do you need to move her? I would let her stay there if it's safe. She will find a lower location once the poults are out, since they won't be able to get back up there (unless you build a ramp)

 

[LynnPG]

Thank you,
Was worried that when the littles ones hatch, that they might fall off the shelf and die from the fall.

Their isn't much bedding up there, because it is a shelf.

 

[mymilliefleur]

Could you perhaps screw some boards on the edge of the shelf, so that there is a lip to keep the eggs from rolling off, and the poults from falling off once they hatch?

 

[R2elk]

Thank you,
Was worried that when the littles ones hatch, that they might fall off the shelf and die from the fall.

Their isn't much bedding up there, because it is a shelf.

You would be surprised how well newly hatched chicks and poults bounce and easily survive from high places. Concrete would not be a good landing spot.

The problem isn't so much the fall as the hen trying to decide on whether to continue sitting on the eggs or provide warmth for the poult that fell.

I would suggest installing a railing around the shelf using 1"x4" boards. Once the poults start hatching, remove them and place them in a brooder.

 

[LynnPG]

Could you perhaps screw some boards on the edge of the shelf, so that there is a lip to keep the eggs from rolling off, and the poults from falling off once they hatch?

Great idea

 

[LynnPG]

You would be surprised how well newly hatched chicks and poults bounce and easily survive from high places.  Concrete would not be a good landing spot.

The problem isn't so much the fall as the hen trying to decide on whether to continue sitting on the eggs or provide warmth for the poult that fell.

I would suggest installing a railing around the shelf using 1"x4" boards.  Once the poults start hatching, remove them and place them in a brooder.

Perfect

 

[LynnPG]

Thank you for the great ideas. I don't even know if the eggs are fertile. I have never seen my tom mount her, like I see my rooster on my hens.

Time will tell....2 to 3 weeks to go

 

[R2elk]

Thank you for the great ideas. I don't even know if the eggs are fertile. I have never seen my tom mount her, like I see my rooster on my hens.

Time will tell....2 to 3 weeks to go

It is not unusual to not see the mating. Sometimes there are telltale signs such as feathers on the hen's back being mussed up or scattered feathers in one particular area.

If you can manage to sneak some eggs out from under the hen without disturbing her, you could try candling the eggs for signs of development.

 

[JonathanL23]

Turkeys can be shy, My Tom i have now never did the deed in from of us but we ended up with babies. Also The shelf is high, she probably feels safe, as turkeys pirch in trees in the wild. Maybe let her set then when they start to hatch move her into a pen. takes 28 days. but id use a flash light and check the eggs every 5 days to see if they are growing.