Balding Turkey who refuses to sit on her eggs!

[Amy]

Hi
My female turkey (Noo) who only started to lay in March of this year is laying eggs but will only sit on them for a day then gets off but she has rubbed all her chest feathers off! She seems happy enough and is eating but is a little on the bald side on her tummy/chest area!
My stag (Gordie) keeps mounting her but to be honest I dont think she is overly taken with him as she scoots off as soon as she can. She is however madly in love with my husband and whenever he is around she gets on the floor, spreads her wings and starts to vibrate bless her!! :lol:
Should I be worrying about her loss of feathers? My stag is quite rough with her when he does mount her so I dont know if thats the reason they are coming out.
Also, why does she not want to sit on her eggs?
Thanks
Amy

 

[Tim]

I'm certainly no expert with Turkeys - I haven't kept them, however broody birds will usually lose their feathers underneath so they can make cantact with eggs to keep them warm for incubation.

You should keep an eye on feather loss on her back from the stag mounting her and fit saddles if she is starting to lose feathers.

She is probably too young to sit on eggs - often birds in their early years go broody for a short time, but get the idea to brood and toy with the idea - so chances are she won't sit until she is older..

Hope this helps!

Tim

 

[Pamela]

Turkey hens do not make good mothers as they get often bored and wander off.

 

[Anonymous]

Amy,

A little late on this post but I would recommend moving the Tom (or putting up a barrier wall to keep your Hen separated from your Tom as he may be a distraction to your Hen. As Tim stated, she may be a bit young as well, but if she is laying eggs, then she is mature enough to sit (genetics). I don't think one can say turks are worse sitters than chickens, or any combination thereof.....a favorable environment/condition is required for any successful reproduction effort of any animal.

Your Tom may be a bit aggressive, but no changing that aspect of the relationship. I would let Mother Nature take its course. No sense in trying to make a relationship happen with your turks. Pair your Tom up with another Hen, or bring in a new Tom for your hen that is laying….

The feather loss could be a sign of nervousness (plucking) brought on by the environment as well. None of my Hens have ever plucked, but I've seen it in other domesticed birds (parrots, etc.).

Hope your situation has improved.

Cheers
jd