Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
Can anyone please tell me why my big brute of an all male Tom Turkey is now broody and sitting on a clutch of 8 eggs? 
Farm Gender confused turkey
- Thread starter Broken Arrow
- Start date
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Not a clue, but thanks for the chuckle!
Can anyone please tell me why my big brute of an all male Tom Turkey is now broody and sitting on a clutch of 8 eggs?
Maybe wild toms sometimes help out?
I've only had turkeys twice. I like them, but they seem to exist in a permanent state of mild confusion.
I'd cull him quick. He clearly is an Obama supporter!!
That's a new one on me... and no, wild turkeys don't "share" brooding duties...
Summerthyme
That's a new one on me... and no, wild turkeys don't "share" brooding duties...
Summerthyme
naturallysweet
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've heard of stories of male birds taking over to hatch out and brood chicks when their mate is killed. Perhaps it's a continuity of the species thing.
Female chicks can turn into roosters, even late in life. so why can't Tom Turkey's brood eggs.
Female chicks can turn into roosters, even late in life. so why can't Tom Turkey's brood eggs.
Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
LOL you guys are too much! Thanks for the laugh.
Turkey's don't split duties like penguins do. He's been on them for 6 days now. Gets right back on if we shoo him off. I would cull him crept he's the only male we have and I had a hard enough timed finding him. He's a Bourbon red. Mama hen isn't too upset about it. She wasn't broody when she laid the eggs.
I would post a pic, crept TB hates my attempts at phone loads. I'll put one up on the FB page.
Turkey's don't split duties like penguins do. He's been on them for 6 days now. Gets right back on if we shoo him off. I would cull him crept he's the only male we have and I had a hard enough timed finding him. He's a Bourbon red. Mama hen isn't too upset about it. She wasn't broody when she laid the eggs.
I would post a pic, crept TB hates my attempts at phone loads. I'll put one up on the FB page.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Maybe he's bent on ensuring the next generation if she isn't interested. If you're having a hard time finding Tom's then keep him until you can replace him.
Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
No I wanted to cull him cus he's a mean bastard that makes sneak attacks on the backs of your legs when your head is turned.
Are you sure the eggs are fertile? I would be suspicious if he has no previous offspring, and he was the only male around to have inseminated them. I would be interested in culling him just to open him up, and see what was inside.
ETA: Well, aside from confused Tom's, small world. First I click on your Facebook link to see if there any updates with the sheep, and then I scroll down to find that guy who does the 18th cent. re-enactment with one of those outdoor bread ovens I keep intending to build. I like his videos. He has one on warping the inkle loom (actually 18th century??). Further down, I find a lovely illustration of a lady spindle spinning.
Last edited:
Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
They are more than likely fertile as I have watched him have his way with her many times recently, plus he did produce offspring last year, one of which was thanksgiving dinner.
Glad you enjoyed your visit to my site, stop by anytime! The babies are getting big and adventurous!
Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
Both Turkey's are now sitting on the eggs. They are such strange birds
Any idea when they are due to hatch? Wonder if the Tom knows he is supposed to turn them (or do whatever it is turkeys do).
Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
No clue. They have been sitting on them for two weeks at least now. I think the hen is turning them. I see her standing over them poking them with her beak.
naturallysweet
Has No Life - Lives on TB
You should borrow one egg and take it to a dark room with a small LED flashlight. If the light shines completely through without anything but the yolk visible, then the eggs are infertile.
My turkey tom is a dud as well. 5 hens and all their eggs seem to be infertile. At least the ones in the incubator are. I haven't tested the ones under a pair of hens, so maybe he just got off to a late start. To hedge my bet, I picked up a couple of non broad breasted turkey chicks at the local feed store. I figure one of them might be a male to replace the one I have.
He's great at showing his feathers and trying to attack me if I go near his hens, but that's it. I think he needs viagra.
My turkey tom is a dud as well. 5 hens and all their eggs seem to be infertile. At least the ones in the incubator are. I haven't tested the ones under a pair of hens, so maybe he just got off to a late start. To hedge my bet, I picked up a couple of non broad breasted turkey chicks at the local feed store. I figure one of them might be a male to replace the one I have.
He's great at showing his feathers and trying to attack me if I go near his hens, but that's it. I think he needs viagra.
LOL! Isn't that frustrating. I wonder how many non-farmers realize how much management of sex lives we farmers have to do?
Summerthyme
Broken Arrow
Heathen Pagan Witch
LOL! I know he's not a dud, this same pair had babies last year. Plus I saw them doing the nasty before eggs showed up.
Yeah, sex is a big thing on the farm. I never scrutinized butts so much for signs of heat or labor!
Yeah, sex is a big thing on the farm. I never scrutinized butts so much for signs of heat or labor!
We often said our sons knew more about the female reproductive system than most adult women by the time they were around 13 years old! Granted, cattle and humans aren't the same, but we made a point to discuss that fact, and what differences there were. They also have a huge understanding of how hormones can affect feelings and behavior in females,.. maybe that's why they've all got longlasting marriages! LOL!
Summerthyme
Summerthyme