Is our turkey sitting on fertilized eggs?

clattin · 03-10-2006, 04:59 AM

We live on a small farm in Michigan. We have chickens, ducks and one domestic turkey hen (although she looks like a wild turkey). Anyway, about 2 weeks ago we discovered that she is sitting on a nest with a clutch of eggs almost around the clock. We have a lot of wild turkey's around and as a matter of fact, there were two gobblers crusiing by this morning. We're wondering if maybe these are fertilized eggs she's sitting on. Seems awfully early for any turkey's to be mating. You think these eggs will hatch or is it just wishful thinking?

Chris[/align]

Mr. Longbeard · 03-10-2006, 05:55 AM

Are you sure there turkey eggs???

clattin · 03-10-2006, 05:58 AM

Yeah, they're turkey eggs. I've heard some guys seeing gobblers strutting already.

Chris

jghoffman12 · 03-10-2006, 07:24 AM

you should find out soon. if you discovered this 2 weeks ago they should hatch or start rotting soon. i think the incubation time is around 25-30 days. i also think you would have seen your hen with the toms for several days if she was being bred. she may just be 'clucky' and sitting on unfertilized eggs. let us know what happens.

Mr. Longbeard · 03-10-2006, 06:32 PM

I wonder how many people have hunted these turkeys and swear there hunting wild turkeys

Dr Andy · 03-10-2006, 08:05 PM

I understand that old-fashioned farm turkeys were not all white and did look alot like wild birds. Neighboring farms often had different strains and could tell one farmers turkeys from anothers. I wonder if thats true?

Tree climber · 03-11-2006, 05:25 AM

they will hatch in 28 days if fertile.it only takes once to have fertile eggs.maybe she was a behind the barn hen.

if she doesn't hatch in the 28 days. break up the nest and put her outside and maybe one of the wild toms will breed her yet.be sure you distroy the nest or she will go back to it and keep trying.after a mo. of nesting she will be poor and if she doesn't get off and build hereslf up she will not be able to produce another nest.

she will be ready to bring you some 1/2 wild chicks.

good luck with her