Will my turkey hen die?

[Philip29]

my turkey hen as been on the egg for 7days now without water nor food, is this normal and can she die? Pls help

 

[junebuggena]

Sometimes you have to force broodies off the nest so they will go eat and drink.

 

[Sara Ranch]

If she won't go to the food and the water, would you take the food and the water to her? Or put it within her sight line? She might eat/drink if you do one of these things.

 

[bobbi-j]

Are you absolutely sure she's not eating or drinking? Are you watching her all day, every day? Nesting birds, by nature, tend to try to be secretive about when they get off and go back to the nest. I've never chased a bird off a nest to eat or drink, and I've never had one die, but that's not saying it can't happen.

If you do feel the need to help her out, I would suggest not putting food and water where she can reach it from the nest. It's important for her to get off the nest so she doesn't defecate in the nest and soil the eggs. That could kill them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Turkey hens will get off the nest once a day usually. You won't always see it. Mine will do it at night sometimes, or very early in the morning.

 

[Diannastarr]

my turkey hen as been on the egg for 7days now without water nor food, is this normal and can she die? Pls help

no your hen wont die, if she is not in intense heat..? but all broodies do run out in the mornings and eat and get water, so no worries , but you could put some water & food in with her. i do that for my broodies,i also mix a little water into their layer feed they love that..! here are some of my broodies eating their evening meal.i serve them fresh food & clean water every morning .

 

[Philip29]

thanks guys she as finally gotten up... thanks for the help

 

[Sara Ranch]

Yeah!!!

 

[duluthralphie]

Leave the turkey hen alone. Have the food and water and available. She will not die, but you will not see her (most likely) leave the nest or return to it. They like to pretend they are hiding and no one sees them on the nest.


BTW do as BobbiJ says and make sure she needs to get off the nest to eat, or you will have a mess (larger than you will have anyways) when they (if) hatch.

 

[R2elk]

Leave the turkey hen alone. Have the food and water and available. She will not die, but you will not see her (most likely) leave the nest or return to it. They like to pretend they are hiding and no one sees them on the nest.


BTW do as BobbiJ says and make sure she needs to get off the nest to eat, or you will have a mess (larger than you will have anyways) when they (if) hatch.

Another reason to keep food and water away from the nest is that it attracts vermin and in some cases even worse, predators.