Re: fertility

Thanks-
Friends keep asking me, as if I should know just because birds live in my
yard. ;> I still don't quite understand how they fertilize anyway.

On a practical side the info is more important. I moved the turkey pen
because they had turned it into a mud bath and the hen escaped. Both birds
are looking much better - either from less mud or less picking at each
other. The hen started laying a couple of days after she left the tom. I
wanted to see if she'd go broody, but her laying spot was close enough to
the last duck nest that the muscovy 'mother' moved the first eggs into her
nest. At last check-up the roosting duties are being shared by the muscovy
and a Rhode Island Red hen. The next spot the turkey found has been taken
over by a Barred Rock who doesn't want to move. Since it is a hard spot for
me to get to, I decided to let her sit on it. It's been about 2 weeks since
the turkeys 'separated' and I suppose I should either start gathering her
eggs or send her home for a conjugal visit. ;>

Do the birds know which eggs are still growing like they should? Last year
I found several eggs outside the nest and put them back. The next day I
found several eggs rolled clear down the hill away from the nest, like she
was telling me to *** out, she didn't want those anymore.

Since ducks, turkeys, and chickens all have different hatching lengths, will
the assorted 'moms' keep sitting on the later eggs or should I be ready with
the incubator when I see the first chicks?

Thanks for the help. This is so much fun! ;>

Deb
--
In Oregon, the pacific northWET. NWF habitat #32964


"Ken Muenzler and/or Joan Muenzler" <muenzler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1rydnftJGe1VJ73bnZ2dnUVZ_uKknZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxx
I understand they will be fertile for at least two weeks.

"Deb" <debra@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7U0Uh.2778$3P3.2523@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
How long will a hen lay fertile eggs after she has been 'serviced' by the
rooster? How about turkeys?





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