Turkey eggs in June

[Alabama]

I was out checking my summer food plots today and spooked a hen turkey off her nest. She was definitely sitting on it as she let me get 3 feet away from her before she bolted (she scared the crap out of me). I usually see the 1st poults here between May 15th to May 25th. Do you think she lost her 1st clutch of eggs and just layed another set or is she sitting on half rotten eggs that will never hatch? There were 10 eggs and I did not disturb them, so I guess we will see in the coming weeks.

 

[gonhunting247]

I'd go with the second clutch, probably started over for some reason.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I see nesting Canada Geese all the time on my pond. Several things could have happened. First is could be a second clutch of eggs, but it also could be a young hen, her first nesting. I've seen young birds that want to nest, but for some reason, takes them longer to get the "idea" of what they are supposed to be doing. Never know unless you really have time to watch the nest and other birds in the area.

 

[Alabama]

Curiosity was killing me so I talked to the area biologist and he said it was most likely a 2nd nesting attempt, but it's possible it could be a young hen who struggled to nest her 1st year. He said they are not rotten and she will hatch them out if I eliminate disturbance in the area. Turkeys have been struggling here the last few years especially last year's hatch, so this is good news.

 

[Matthoek21]

I witnessed a gobbler breed two hens once in Missouri and it was early June. I thought that was crazy but maybe both lost their first clutch and for whatever reason went for round 2. I do know one thing a turkey will breed year round if the hens will allow it.

 

[Wyoming Hart]

Sounds like a second clutch to me. I think it is happening a lot around here as well as there has been a lot of turkey activity the past few weeks, that usually doesn't happen. It has been a cool and rainy spring.

 

[Alabama]

Those wet springs are what hurts our hatches the most, although the ever expanding wild hog population is not helping either. In the past 15 seasons this was the 1st one I didn't see a single jake. Hopefully this year's hatch will be better, they can recover quickly with just 1 good spring.

 

[Wyoming Hart]

Yeah last year was a great hatch and it was desperately needed and it showed. I know of a farmer who ran over a hen who was hatching sitting on 16 eggs early last week when mowing hay. Great to see that many eggs, but unfortunately all for not.