Turkey Talk for 2014

[AmericanMom]

hope this hatch finishes well. As well as the next.

I have never hand turned eggs always used turners in my incubators.

Do you see better hatch rates with hand turned eggs?

Last year I hand turned and got a 98% hatch rate on average.. This year I seem to be struggling to get 50%!! Don't know what I am doing wrong, Turkey eggs have been fertile but either die after lockdown or right before. The only thing I am doing different is #1... young birds, we opened the first egg to make sure it was fertile and then all others have been incubated or #2 The turner I have is messing them up?? My temps have been rock steady 99-100, dry incubation then humidity is 65-70% at lockdown, those that hatch do so without any issues. My birds are healthy, free range on an all purpose 20% feed. I am sure its something I am doing wrong, so next thing is trying to hand turn and see if my hatch rates are better with the next set I do..

Turkey #3 is starting to zip so this hatch is almost over..3/7 that made it to lockdown

 

[chickadoodles]

AmericanMom the only thing I see is maybe lower your humidity down to 58-60% and see if that helps. I hope you have better luck with your hatches.

 

[chickadoodles]

I my first sweetgrass turkey poult just hatched.

 

[AmericanMom]

I my first sweetgrass turkey poult just hatched.

Awww... so cute!!! Congrats!!

And yes, I will shoot for a lower humidity at lockdown, the last turkey just hatched, I candled the three remaining turkey eggs and for sure dead... Opened them up and one might have passed before lockdown but the other two were spot on but upside down, there was a bit of fluid in there so maybe drowned?? .. last batch goes into lockdown on Wednesday... I already am saving eggs for setting again I WILL figure this out lol

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote:
How long are you holding them before putting them in the bator. Also nutrition does affect hatching rates. That is why I started giving my birds vitamins for the breeding season. It makes the poults and chicks healthier.

 

[AmericanMom]

How long are you holding them before putting them in the bator. Also nutrition does affect hatching rates. That is why I started giving my birds vitamins for the breeding season. It makes the poults and chicks healthier.

I wont hold them longer than 7 days, turned three times a day in the coolest room in the house, temp stays around 50-58.. My flock is all on the all purpose feed, once a week they get a mixture of Oil of oregano and 1/2 cup oil mixed into their feed, they also get fresh water daily and one water container contains Organic AVC mixed in.. Plenty of vegetables and fruit.

 

[feedman77]

I my first sweetgrass turkey poult just hatched.

congratulations on your new poult.

 

[chickadoodles]

Sounds like they are eating well. And the eggs are not old. Just keep working at it one thing at a time.

 

[chickadoodles]

Thanks feedman.

 

[feedman77]

I have my first injury with mating turkeys.

It looks like the tom I have in with them slipped a left a huge gash in the side of one of the hens.

I noticed it this morning while leaving for work. So I won't be able to separate them til this evening.

Guess I got lucky last year as I had no injuries with any of my adult turkeys.