For hunters, spring marks the beginning of the “turkey year” so let’s trace turkey activity through the year beginning in the spring.
The peak of the breeding season has already passed by the time the spring turkey hunting season opens April 15. Toms will breed with multiple hens throughout the spring and early summer. As the eggs develop, the hen will build a ground nest in a place with good cover and close to good brood habitat, which is normally an opening in the forest cover.
Once she starts laying eggs, a hen will lay one egg every 24 to 32 hours – taking about two weeks to lay a full clutch of nine to 13 eggs. In between laying eggs, the hen will focus on feeding and bulking up to withstand the upcoming incubation period.
Once all the eggs have been laid, the hen will incubate them, day and night, for about 28 days. Incubation is interrupted only for an occasional mid-day snack of protein-rich insects.
Newly hatched chicks – called poults – can walk shortly after hatching and usually leave the nest within 12 – 24 hours. After eight to 14 days, young poults can fly short distances and start roosting in trees.
If a hen loses a clutch shortly after laying, she can re-nest without having to re-breed because the sperm from initial mating remains viable for up to 30 days. Hunters seeing a newly hatched brood of turkeys in late August or September, might think this a hen’s second or third clutch. In fact, it’s more likely the hen has lost a brood and simply re-nested.
The biggest threat to a young turkey’s survival is within its first 10 days of life. If their down gets wet from rain, hypothermia is likely. They also are most vulnerable to predation by ravens, crows, hawks, skunks, raccoon, fox, coyote, bobcats and even stray cats.
Hatching turkey eggs and raising baby poults can be an incredibly rewarding experience for any backyard farmer or homesteader. However, before you get started, it’s important to understand the incubation period and proper conditions needed for successful hatching. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about how long it takes for turkey eggs to hatch.
The Turkey Egg Incubation Period
The incubation period for turkey eggs is 28 days. This is the amount of time the fertilized eggs need to be kept warm in order to develop and hatch into healthy poults (baby turkeys).
Turkeys are precocial birds, meaning the poults are covered in down and able to leave the nest shortly after hatching. Because of this the incubation period is longer than for altricial species like chickens and ducks that hatch naked and blind requiring extensive brooding.
While 28 days is the standard incubation period there can be some natural variability
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Smaller heritage breeds may hatch a day or two earlier around day 26 or 27.
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Eggs incubated in warmer conditions may pip as early as day 27. However, temperatures over 100.5°F can cause growth abnormalities.
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Cooler incubator temperatures can delay hatch to day 29 or even 30.
The average incubation period for commercially farmed broad-breasted turkeys is 28 days and 2 hours. For heritage breeds incubated at home, 28 days is still the safest benchmark.
Ideal Incubation Conditions
To achieve the best hatch rates, turkey eggs need very specific temperature and humidity levels in the incubator. Here are the optimal incubation conditions:
- Temperature: 99.5°F (37.5°C)
- Humidity: 40-50% during incubation, increased to 60-70% during hatching
Keeping the temperature as close to 99.5°F as possible is crucial. Fluctuations greater than 1°F in either direction can impact poult development and hatch rates.
The incubator should maintain 40-50% humidity for the first 25 days. In the last 3 days when the poults start hatching, humidity should be increased to 60-70% to prevent membranes from drying out.
Turning the Eggs
Turkey eggs must be turned at least 3 times per day during incubation to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. Turning provides stimulation for proper growth.
Turn the eggs gently 180° so the top becomes the bottom and vice versa. Marking one side with a pencil helps track the rotation.
Stop turning the eggs on day 25 when incubation enters the hatching phase. The poults need stillness to get oriented for hatching.
Candling the Eggs
Candling the eggs periodically lets you monitor embryo development and identify any infertile or non-viable eggs for removal.
Candle the eggs twice:
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On day 7, look for a network of veins radiating from a tiny beating heart.
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On day 24, the eggs should appear dark with a large air cell.
Removing unfertilized and non-developing eggs prevents bacteria and rotting. Only viable eggs should remain when lockdown begins on day 25.
Putting the Incubator in Lockdown
On day 25, the incubator should enter “lockdown” to create ideal hatching conditions:
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Maintain 99.5°F temperature.
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Increase humidity to 60-70%.
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Ensure all vents are fully open.
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Do not open the incubator.
Lockdown minimizes temperature and humidity fluctuations for the delicate hatching phase. Resist the urge to check – leave the poults undisturbed until fully hatched.
Hatching and Brooding
It takes 12-24 hours from the first pip until the poult fully emerges from the egg. Absorb the yolk sac before removing poults from the incubator.
Brooding requirements are crucial for newly hatched poults. They need 95°F temperatures for the first week and easy access to food and water. Predator protection is also essential.
With proper incubation and brooding, you’ll have the joy of raising healthy turkeys from hatchlings to adults. It’s a 28 day labor of love!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if turkey eggs are fertilized?
Candling is the only way to confirm fertility. Look for the small dark embryo and network of veins on day 7. Infertile eggs will appear clear under the candler.
Can I hatch turkey eggs naturally?
Yes, a broody hen can incubate and hatch turkey eggs. Ensure she sits tight on the nest and turns the eggs regularly. Supplement feed and water nearby. Move hen and poults to a protected brooding area.
What happens if turkey eggs get too cold?
Temperatures below 98°F will slow embryo growth. Drastic cooling can cause death. Eggs are most vulnerable in the first week. Maintain a steady 99.5°F incubation temperature.
Can I hatch turkey eggs in an automatic chicken egg turner?
You can use an auto egg turner made for turkey egg size. Ensure no wobble or bumping during turns. Hand turning is gentlest. Stop turning on day 25.
How do I know if incubating turkey eggs are still viable?
Candle at one week intervals. Live embryos will enlarge with veins visible. Discard any eggs that don’t progress. Only viable eggs should enter lockdown on day 25.
Hatching turkey poults is an amazing experience. Following proper incubation techniques will help ensure success. Be sure to give your turkey eggs 28 full days and consistent conditions for the best results. Then enjoy watching your new poults thrive!
Winter flocks and migration
As summer progresses, hens and their growing poults will join other hens and poults. At the same time, mature toms form bachelor flocks, often of like ages. By winter, turkey flocks may grow to 200 or more birds.
As winter weather sets in, turkeys in low elevation habitats, such as valley floors, don’t need to migrate because the winter weather at these elevations is rather mild. However, at higher elevations where severe weather can put birds at risk, turkeys will migrate between lower and higher elevations as weather changes in the spring and fall. This is especially true in parts of central and eastern Oregon.
The number one killer of adult turkeys is prolonged winter storms, where crusted ice keeps them from finding food. But turkeys are tough, and can stay in a tree for several days, losing a good bit of body fat but still surviving.
Under ideal conditions toms can live up to five years (but more likely two or three), hens six to eight years. An eight-year-old hen is rare, however, and comparable to a 100-year-old person.