PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 I have wondered about how many hens actually nest each year. I have seen hens with toms as late as the end of May. Of course I also wonder what percentage of nesting attempts are successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted June 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 I did learn from an online site that less than 50% of nesting attempts are successful due to the many egg sucking predators and of course weather. Also it takes 5 or 6 weeks from laying the first egg to the poults hatching which exposes the nest for a long time. Predation on the poults is even higher than the eggs because avain predators are added to the mix and wet weather can kill the poults till they get feathers. Still don't know how many hens try to nest though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedog Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 I just found this website this morning while surfing the "net". If I remember correctly, it said that near 100% of adult hens and 80% of juvenile hens will nest in the spring. Of course as you've mentioned, not all nests are successful. Anyway, some interesting findings from various research. http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_turkey_learning_kit.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted June 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 Thanks for the info. I am a bit surprised that any site claimed near 100% of adult hens nest. Around here I see hens right up to the end of our spring season at the end of May I would have thought that the hens would have been brooding on the nest by that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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