How many will survive?
07-04-2007, 10:55 AM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Locust Grove, VA
Posts: 137
How many will survive?
On Monday I was hicking through the National Forest and saw two different sets of hens with little ones. There must have been about 8 little guys ineach group. I was wondering how many of them will make it to adulthood. Sorry no pics. It sure was nice to see them.
07-04-2007, 07:01 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pa
Posts: 4,647
RE: How many will survive?
Man that sure seems like bad odds!!!! I seen a hen last sept with about 6 or 7 small chiken size young...
I would think that at least 4 out of 12 would survive... I guess that's around 33%
I would think that at least 4 out of 12 would survive... I guess that's around 33%
07-06-2007, 08:32 AM
#7
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in Vermont
Posts: 22,605
RE: How many will survive?
In the north edge of their habitat the winter kill and predation usually eliminate close to half the poults. IMO the biggest limiting issue is wet spring. The hens don't do well on the nest and the eggs don't have a great hatch and survival rate when it is cold and rainy like it often is in this area.
