Thunder chickens starting early in Virginia
#13

We have had some very warm tepms. I decided to research the effect of the temps on breeding. The expert info I recieved was written by Lyle Williams a well know turkey expert. He stated that the heat causes the toms to gobble- gobbles are cheap. The hens base breeding on length of the daylight hours. Since eggs are expensive to make nature leaves the breeding up to her. So if we had 4-5 years of warm winters and then a flux in temps to very cold the early breeding it could essentially wipe out the turkeys in an area. This was the reasoning given. Now I also found from the NWTF that sometimes the hens will accept the toms early but hold the sperm till ready to lay.
Mr williams also stated that in certain areas of the country toms will start gobbling in late fall due to warm temps and not stop all winter. So that is what I found out. I had been very concerned, but feel better now. I am now just concerned with heavy greeniery, heavy bugs, heavy rain......hope a heavy turkey.
Mr williams also stated that in certain areas of the country toms will start gobbling in late fall due to warm temps and not stop all winter. So that is what I found out. I had been very concerned, but feel better now. I am now just concerned with heavy greeniery, heavy bugs, heavy rain......hope a heavy turkey.