Turkey Talk for 2014

[Momhunter]

I hatch quail all the time. You can incubate them with chicken eggs but don't raise humidity above 40-45% for hatch in still air (50-55% in forced air). They need very low humidity for hatch.

I've had great hatch rates with my quail and chicken eggs. Just have low hatch rates with my turkey and peafowl. Always seem to have a lot that look fully developed and look good at lockdown then never pip.
I use a gqf cabinet incubator and hatcher. Have ran the humidity by hatching charts.
What is the down side to too low humidity during incubation???

 

[SilkieSensation]

I hatch quail all the time. You can incubate them with chicken eggs but don't raise humidity above 40-45% for hatch in still air (50-55% in forced air). They need very low humidity for hatch.

I've had great hatch rates with my quail and chicken eggs. Just have low hatch rates with my turkey and peafowl. Always seem to have a lot that look fully developed and look good at lockdown then never pip.
I use a gqf cabinet incubator and hatcher. Have ran the humidity by hatching charts.
What is the down side to too low humidity during incubation???

If the humidity runs way low the air cells get too big & babies can't reach the shell to pip because the membrane is too tight & rubbery (shrink wrap). If humidity is too high, babies will be too big & can't turn to zip.

 

[Momhunter]

Ok, found a air cell chart. Looks like my turkey eggs are about a week behind in size. I emptied my water pan to lower humidity and will not put in the hatcher until Tue morning instead of Monday evening. Since I lowered my temp half a degree, after last weeks eggs hatched 2 days early, I hope these will wait a little longer. Fingers crossed.

 

[NewToFarming]

Ok, I have lots of dumb new turkey owner questions but now that one of my girls started to lay, I have to ask them. How many days is to incubate for turkey eggs? Can a broody chicken hatch them and what are your thoughts on that? Also, the Tom has only tried to mate one of the girls and none of the others. Is it because she was the only one that was just coming to the point of lay? Thanks!

 

[Arielle]

Ok, found a air cell chart. Looks like my turkey eggs are about a week behind in size. I emptied my water pan to lower humidity and will not put in the hatcher until Tue morning instead of Monday evening. Since I lowered my temp half a degree, after last weeks eggs hatched 2 days early, I hope these will wait a little longer. Fingers crossed.

Hope you have a better hatch rate this time!!!

It does take a few hatchings to put all these factors together for the best results. Very much trial and error.

 

[Arielle]

Lisa--

As for tom-- I never see my toms at work. Very rare to actually catch him in the act of standing on the hen. THat is my experience.

Turkey eggs are 1 week longer at 28 days. I have read of chicken hens hatching turkeys, and the hen does fine. APparently mom and baby have to work out communication isssues.

 

[chickadoodles]

How do you tell if humidity is to high during incubation? How big should the air cell be by lockdown time?? Is that what causes fully developed poults to not hatch when they were moving when placed in lockdown?? Any advice greatly appreciated. Incubator has been running with water pan having humidity at 42-50%. Hatcher was at 70%.
Second question: any damage to be done by decreasing humidity/switching to dry incubation, when I have quail, chicken and turkey eggs 1/3 to 2/3 if the way to lockdown???

Here is Porters Rare Heritage Turkey website that has helpful tips on hatching turkey eggs: http://www.porterturkeys.com/egghatchingtips.htm

 

[NewToFarming]

Lisa--

As for tom-- I never see my toms at work. Very rare to actually catch him in the act of standing on the hen. THat is my experience.

Turkey eggs are 1 week longer at 28 days. I have read of chicken hens hatching turkeys, and the hen does fine. APparently mom and baby have to work out communication isssues.

Thanks Arielle! That was wondering about the communication piece. I have found my boy sideways, backwards, upside down, you name it! LOL But it is only the one girl so far. I am not sure if he will ever mate little Miss Bossy. She is the smallest girl and bossy the poor guy around.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THere is a learning curve to this dance. Once he gets it and gains confidence, Miss Bossy might also be willing to participate.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THis is what I follow!!