Mia Patel
If you have found a turkey chick that appears to need help getting back to its nest, there are a few things you should consider before taking action. Firstly, it is important to understand that wild turkey chicks (known as 'poults') are extremely vulnerable to predators and weather conditions, especially during the first four weeks after hatching. If you come across a mother turkey (hen) and her chicks, it is advisable to leave them be and let nature take its course. Interfering with the nesting process can distress the mother and disrupt her natural nesting instincts. However, if you have concerns about the safety of the nest location, you can try to provide a quiet, fenced-off area with access to food and water, encouraging the mother to settle in a safer space.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you help a turkey chick back in the nest? | It is best to let nature take its course. |
| How to locate the nest | Follow the turkey as she does her secretive stroll or egg yelp. |
| Number of eggs | Between 8 and 18. |
| Predators | Snakes, opossums, and humans (turkey hunters). |
| Actions to take | Build a predator shelter around the nest. |
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What You'll Learn
Providing food and water to a nesting turkey
To avoid the risk of baby turkeys getting chilled and falling ill, it is recommended to use hanging feeders and waterers to keep the food and water clean and dry. Before bringing the turkeys home, it is important to set up the feeders, waterers, bedding, and a heat lamp in the brooder. You can start the birds off with a poultry starter feed before switching to a grower feed after about ten weeks. Turkey feed can come in pellet, mash, or crumble form.
If you are raising wild turkeys, it is important to consider the seasonal needs of the birds and the habitat conditions. Turkeys thrive in areas with a wide variety of habitat types and plant species. They typically select nest sites near trails or open areas, which they use for feeding during incubation. These open areas are important feeding grounds for poults, and a variety of plant communities is important for the success of the local turkey population.
For wild turkey habitat management, consider the following:
- Maintain a mix of wooded areas, abandoned fields, and active agriculture.
- Provide spring seeps, which are important winter food sources for turkeys, especially on south-facing slopes.
- Create travel corridors with conifer cover to allow turkeys to move more freely during deep snow conditions.
- Delay mowing hayfields and pastures as long as possible to provide re-nesting areas for hens.
- Maintain shrubby patches within old fields and leave scattered piles of branches.
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Predators and how to protect the nest
Predators pose a significant threat to turkey nests, and it is important to take measures to protect them. Here are some ways to safeguard the nest:
Identify Potential Predators
Common predators of turkey nests include raccoons, skunks, opossums, snakes, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and great-horned owls. These animals can raid nests and feed on the eggs or newly hatched chicks. Identifying the specific predators in your area is essential for targeted protection.
Provide Adequate Cover and Concealment
Creating dense vegetation near the ground can provide nesting hens with the cover they need to stay concealed from predators. Tall grass, shrubs, or low-hanging branches can all help hide the nest from prying eyes.
Trapping and Removal
Trapping and removing nest predators like skunks, armadillos, raccoons, possums, and coyotes can be an effective management strategy. This is best done in late winter or early spring, just before the hens begin nesting.
Habitat Management
Focusing on habitat management can be more effective than attempting to eliminate predators. Providing turkeys with the right conditions, such as dense vegetation for cover, can improve their chances of avoiding, detecting, and evading predators.
Predator Shelter
Building a predator shelter around the nest can provide additional protection. This can involve constructing a physical barrier that makes it difficult for predators to access the nest, thus improving the chances of survival for the eggs and chicks.
By implementing these strategies, you can enhance the security of the turkey nest and improve the chances of a successful hatch and chick survival. It is important to remember that while these measures can help, some predation may still occur, and it is also crucial to allow nature to take its course.
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Moving a turkey hen and her chicks
If possible, it is best to move the turkey hen and her chicks while they are still on the nest. This can be done by simply picking them up and moving them to a new location. If the hen and chicks are on a free-range nest, it is also possible to let them fend for themselves like wild turkeys, although this is not recommended. If you choose to move them, it is important to avoid herding them, as this can be stressful for the hen and chicks. Instead, move them slowly and coax them to their new location. It is also important to guide the chicks away from bushes or tall weeds, as they may try to hide and get stuck.
When moving a turkey hen and her chicks, it is best to choose sundown as the time to move them, as this gives the hen and poults time to bond. If the hen is moved at night, it may be necessary to preheat an incubator and use fake eggs and a flashlight to light the eggs after placement. It is also important to note that poults can survive up to three days without food or water, so it is not necessary to move them immediately if there is no immediate danger.
In some cases, it may be necessary to separate the mother hen and her chicks from other chickens or hens. This is to prevent the other hens from trying to squeeze into the same nest and potentially stepping on the chicks. It is also important to ensure that the mother hen has enough space to walk and poop and that the chicks can get down from the nest but also back up into the coop.
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Locating a turkey nest
Turkey nests are typically found on the ground, in a concealed location, and the hen spends most of her time in the nest, only leaving briefly to feed. The nest itself is a simple scrape or shallow depression in the ground, often at the base of a tree or brush pile, and is lined with leaves or other materials found nearby. These nests are usually located within 100 feet of an opening, such as a field or clearing, providing the hen with easy access to feeding areas.
When a turkey hen is looking for a nest site, she will avoid other hens and travel alone during the nesting and incubation period. So, if you spot a lone hen, it may be worth observing her movements to try and locate the nest. However, be mindful that turkeys can be secretive during this time, and the hen may take a solitary walk to seek out her next nest location discreetly.
The nesting season for wild turkeys varies depending on the region, with southern US populations laying eggs earlier in the year compared to those in the north. Therefore, the timing of egg-laying can be a factor to consider when searching for nests. Additionally, soil temperature may also influence nest site selection, with hens preferring warmer soil for incubation.
Turkey nests have been found in various habitats, but they are usually situated near woody vegetation, with dense undergrowth or shrubs providing cover from predators. Thinning low-value trees in hardwood forests or practicing prescribed burns in open-canopy pine sites can improve nesting habitats and increase the chances of locating nests.
Lastly, while ground nests are vulnerable to predators, some wildlife organizations build nest boxes to support turkey populations in decline. However, there is little evidence that turkeys use these man-made structures, as they prefer natural settings for their nests.
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What to do if a turkey hen abandons her nest
If a turkey hen abandons her nest, the first step is to locate the nest. This can be challenging, as turkey hens often choose nesting locations that are secretive and difficult to find. Once the nest has been located, it is important to assess the situation and determine if the hen is truly abandoned or simply away from the nest temporarily. If the hen appears to be injured or unable to care for her chicks, it may be necessary to intervene and provide assistance.
In some cases, it may be possible to move the hen and her chicks to a safer location. This can be done by picking them up and relocating them to a more secure area, such as a pen or a coop. It is important to act quickly and calmly during the relocation process to minimize stress on the hen and her chicks.
If the hen has abandoned her nest due to the presence of predators or other dangers, it may be necessary to take steps to enhance the security of the nesting area. This could include setting up a temporary pen or fence around the nest to protect against nocturnal predators such as bobcats, raccoons, and snakes. It is crucial to ensure that the protective structure does not hinder the hen's movement or ability to lay eggs.
In some cases, it may be advisable to remove the eggs from the nest and relocate them to a safer location, such as an incubator or a local 4H club. This can help ensure the survival of the eggs if the hen is unable or unwilling to return to the nest. However, it is important to note that turkey hens can be particular about their nesting locations, and they may not always accept relocated eggs.
If you are concerned about the hen's well-being or the survival of her chicks, it is always best to seek advice from a wildlife expert or a veterinarian. They can provide specific guidance and recommendations based on the unique circumstances of the situation.
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