turkey clutch ooops, with a pic

**wtnhunt** · 06-01-2009, 08:27 AM

While out on the tractor bushhogging our side pasture over the weekend I found 10 eggs, pretty amazing that they were all there unharmed in any way, my trail wheel must have just skipped over them in the little dip. The hen was not far off when I went back with the kids yesterday afternoon, she saw us as she came over the hill and she took off, hope she will not abandon the eggs. Kind of surprised she layed the eggs there, our cows and horses are all over that field, but she did have them hid well up in a small clump of junk with blackberry vines on one side. Now that the eggs are exposed the most obvious concern is predators, especially raccoons. Pretty sure the hen flew up to roost about 100 yards away up the hill at the edge of the woods while I was out in the garden right before dark last night.

We have not touched the eggs, but kind of thought about piling a little brush around them to maybe make them less visible to any predators. Anyone have any suggestions on what we might do to increase the odds of these making it to hatch. The grass around the eggs is not very tall now.

**mike13candace** · 06-01-2009, 08:51 AM

Wow... amazing.. I imagine she will be back.. not much protection around her..

**Rhino** · 06-01-2009, 08:55 AM

Not sure what you can do now that won't cause the hen to abandon the nest William.

That hen sure is trying to nest late for our part of the country. This might be her third attempt. I saw plots a couple of weeks ago while doing some more post season deer hunting chores that were anywhere from quail size to 6" tall.

**fly** · 06-01-2009, 08:59 AM

Hi William, I read an interesting article from the DNR in Alaska. According to the aricle the best thing to do is to try to avoid disturbing the hen and nest which could cause her to abondon. However, if the nest is in the middle of an open field where predators could easily spot the nesting hen then I'd try to do something that would help conceal/protect the hen while on nest (especially at night). Maybe some thick leafy branches from a tree or two? Better to take a chance loosing the nest to abondoment than loosing the hen and nest some night to a coyote.

http://www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/index...rticles_id=426

**wtnhunt** · 06-01-2009, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Not sure what you can do now that won't cause the hen to abandon the nest William.

That hen sure is trying to nest late for our part of the country. This might be her third attempt. I saw plots a couple of weeks ago while doing some more post season deer hunting chores that were anywhere from quail size to 6" tall.

Don't know Al. We have not seen any poults here yet. We usually do start seeing them around this time of the year though.

Originally Posted by fly

Hi William, I read an interesting article from the DNR in Alaska. According to the aricle the best thing to do is to try to avoid disturbing the hen and nest which could cause her to abondon. However, if the nest is in the middle of an open field where predators could easily spot the nesting hen then I'd try to do something that would help conceal/protect the hen while on nest (especially at night). Maybe some thick leafy branches from a tree or two? Better to take a chance loosing the nest to abondoment than loosing the hen and nest some night to a coyote.

http://www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/index...rticles_id=426

Thanks Frank. Think we will put some limbs on one side, maybe the downhill side where they would be more visible from the opposing hill. I have the cows and horses off that side, think I will keep them out for now.

**WHISKEYSWAMP** · 06-01-2009, 11:54 AM

I nearly mowed over a hen a couple years ago... she flew out just as the tractor reached her nest. it was basically the last swipe of the field I was mowing. I was amazed she never flew out until I was basically on top of her. Anyhow, I left the remaining weeds around the nest but by the next day the eggs had been eaten. If I had known she was there, I would have waited to mow the field.

**wtnhunt** · 06-01-2009, 12:03 PM

As of this morning the eggs are still there and in the same condition they were in yesterday with the exception of one that looked to have a crack starting. Maybe the are close to hatching.

My oldest daughter said the hen was out in our front field with our cows earlier while she was in the shed feeding her chickens.

Where she was at is only a couple hundred yards from the eggs.

**Rhino** · 06-01-2009, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by wtnhunt

As of this morning the eggs are still there and in the same condition they were in yesterday with the exception of one that looked to have a crack starting. Maybe they are close to hatching.

Sounds like you're fixin to have polts. Fingers Xed for ya.

**fly** · 06-01-2009, 01:11 PM

Hope they make it!

I read somewhere that the odds are not to good for a turkey to hatch and then grow to adulthood. I believe 1 egg out of 3 nests (30-40 eggs) will actually hatch and survive to the age of 2.

**redkneck** · 06-01-2009, 09:57 PM

Hope they make it. They have a tough time around here between the coons, skunks, and fire ants.

**HuntnMa** · 06-02-2009, 05:21 AM

hope they make it........

**Tom2008** · 06-02-2009, 01:26 PM

Great find William and I also hope the mother comes back to them.

**Leo** · 06-02-2009, 10:42 PM

Just stay away from it as much as possible.

Late nests are often completely sterile. Beginning of June is pretty late. So they might not have had a chance anyway. So don't feel too bad about it if they don't hatch.