turkey loves people

[lisa69]

I have a Tom and 3 hens. My hen was injured last winter and I had her indoors. babying her while she recovered. Now she is bonded to people and does not want to mate with my TOM. Funny story is she loves my granddaughter who is 2 1/2. The hen climbed into her granddaughter's lap . Mr Gobbles decided that this was his only chance since the hen was laying down and jumped on top of her to mate. I wish I got a picture but I had to rescue the toddler as these are big birds. How to I get my favorite hen to act more normal with other turkeys. I am starting to find turkey eggs but I'm not sure what hen they are coming from or if they are fertile. I have them in the incubator. How soon should i be able to see if they are developing by candling them. Are these Likely broad breasted Bronze?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would put the hen out with the rest. In turkeys, hen determine when to mate. They generally don't solicit mating unless they are laying or close to starting. She will lay down for him when it's appropriate.

I cannot tell if yours are broad breasted, they don't look like it but it's hard to say by pictures. Heritage varieties generally weigh around 15-25 pounds, and broad breasted weigh much more.

Generally you can candle developing eggs at around 7-10 days and see blood vessels.

 

[lisa69]

thank you for your response. All my turkeys do live together. I have found 4 eggs so far but I don't know who is laying them. I will try to get weights on the turkeys this week.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I haven't seen any mating out of my hens yet as the season is just starting, but generally if your hens are laying they should be fertile. You could check your eggs for the telltale bullseye around the blastoderm.

 

[lisa69]

i've seen them trying but they are big birds. Not sure that they got it done

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is a clumsy act sometimes. Check a few eggs. That will tell you for sure