Squirrelhunter91 Posted May 2, 2005 Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 How many eggs does a hen lay and usually how many survive? As some of you may have read, my dad and I found a turkey nest during the Youth Turkey Hunt here in NY last weekend (23rd and 24th). Well I checked on the nest again on Saturday to find 7 eggs in the nest. I know that the hens lay usually one egg per day and then turn the others at the same time. Then my next question is, when I drove by the nest on Saturday on my quad, I spooked the hen off the nest. What are the odds of her returning to the site? Then that leads me to my next question. We came back to check the nest on Sunday to see if the hen layed another egg, just to make sure she didn't abandon the nest. 2 eggs were destroyed and another in the nest was cracked. We scared a hawk away from the nest when we drove in, but that hawk might have just been looking for a field mouse or something in the field, but just in a tree over the nest. OR did the mother hen destroy the eggs because she figured that her hiding spot was found and that it was no use and she thought her eggs wouldn't survive? I know not that much thinking goes through a turkey's mind, but it's all instincts. PICS TO FOLLOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrelhunter91 Posted May 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 Re: A few turkey nesting questions & problems.... Whatever it was only ate 2 eggs. What could it have been that would only eat 2 eggs. Whatever it was was most likely disturbed while eating. Skunks are primarily nocturnal, correct? So what would chase the skunk off? The mother hen at first light? That's why we think the hawk did it because we jumped it from around the nest and then there was 2 eggs eaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted May 2, 2005 Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 Re: A few turkey nesting questions & problems.... I personally think you shouldn't go back anymore. Too much contact with her she might leave the nest permanently. There goes next years birds! JMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrelhunter91 Posted May 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 Re: A few turkey nesting questions & problems.... ttt... I need some more opinions on this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntnMa Posted May 2, 2005 Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 Re: A few turkey nesting questions & problems.... i would leave it alone..you can always go back afetr they have hatched......even if something gets the nest, even if one or two egss are left ,t hey will nest....from what i have heard and seen..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrelhunter91 Posted May 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Re: A few turkey nesting questions & problems.... bump.. anyone else got any input? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrelhunter91 Posted May 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Re: A few turkey nesting questions & problems.... Checked the nest again on Saturday. There is not an egg or shell to be found. The nest is bare with just the hole that the hen dug out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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