Author Topic: yay my broody hen has hatched her turkey eggs...... now what (Read 2470 times)

manian · « **on:** June 10, 2011, 10:03:54 pm »

hi
came home today and hubby said we had a surprise.....

mum (my broody hen has hatched the 2 turkey eggs that she has been patiently caring for (not due till tomorrow but i'll let her off!!

)
now do i leave her with them or take them away and put them under a heat lamp..... feel a bit cruelto take them from her but want them to have good chance as poss....

we have 9 eggs in the inci due tuesday

all suggestions welcome

Mx

BlueDaisy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2011, 11:44:31 pm »

Why not leave them with her?

I would only be worried if she was a nervy mum, or the babies were much smaller than her.

My first broody ( a LF speckled sussex I hatched last year) has hatched 7 eggs under her (squashed one that hatched) and has taken another load of chicks from the incy. She has been great and now has 11 Vorwerk, 2 andalusian and 5 barbu d'uccle at coming up for 2 weeks.

I think it depends whether you trust your broody or not.

$:-\$

Womble · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2011, 07:58:06 am »

Leave them with her. Why should you have to do all the work when you have a willing volunteer?

Skirza · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:17:58 am »

We've currently got 4 hens with turkey chicks they hatched. They are being great mums so I can't see why you should need to take the chicks away from your girl

manian · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:39:05 am »

thanks everyone,
at the moment they are away from the rest (in the brick potting shed- all mod cons, light heating toilet and sink !!!)
is she ok staying there for a while as i don't want them getting ill fro the other birds
Mx
oh yes do i need a heat lamp nearby

?? i know it may sound silly but want to make sure they will be ok
and will she adopt any from the inci?

Mx