Will penned up turkeys mate/ lay/ hatch?

[Happy Camper]

I have 4 turkeys (2 toms and 2 hens) that just started doing the love dance. Just last week. They had been in an open area (fenced, but still open) with one goat and 4 pekin ducks.

Just after I noticed this, I penned them up to make sure the hens layed in a safe spot and they would not fly away trying to find a spot to lay.

Well, the first day they seemed really anxi, but the second day males were all fluffy, flirting w/ the girls again. The penn is a 10 x 10 x 6 aprox.... is really the best I could do.

Has anyone had turkeys successfully mate and lay in a penn? Should I remove the toms when the hens begin laying?

All ideas and testimonials are very welcomed!

 

[turkeyguy123]

I have 4 turkeys (2 toms and 2 hens) that just started doing the love dance. Just last week. They had been in an open area (fenced, but still open) with one goat and 4 pekin ducks.

Just after I noticed this, I penned them up to make sure the hens layed in a safe spot and they would not fly away trying to find a spot to lay.

Well, the first day they seemed really anxi, but the second day males were all fluffy, flirting w/ the girls again. The penn is a 10 x 10 x 6 aprox.... is really the best I could do.

Has anyone had turkeys successfully mate and lay in a penn? Should I remove the toms when the hens begin laying?

All ideas and testimonials are very welcomed!

they should still lay. If you want the hens to hatch for you I would remove the toms, otherwise just give them a spot to lay. An elevated nesting box would be best. Hope this helps.

 

[Happy Camper]

I put a nice nesting box in the pen, however I saw a nest like hole on the groung with hay nicely placed that is looking very nestty to me... I have never had turkeys before and they have not started laying yet... The nest I put is on the floor but covered w/ a dog house roof... I will try putting an elevated nest and definetely removing the toms once I can be sure they have bred.

I see a lot of dancing and nothing else... I'd like to see and egg or a finalized mating session before I get the toms out... Thanks!

 

[turkeyguy123]

Try putting a few fake eggs, sold at many craft type stores, where you want them to lay, or move any eggs they do lay and they should get the point.