This is my second year/time hatching turkey eggs from my own birds. Last year my hatch was 50% and was due to low humidity in the incubator. I’ve done a few chicken hatched since and have figured things out, or so I thought.
I just finished incubating 15 turkey eggs and 18 chicken eggs. I had a 100% hatch rate of chicken eggs and a 0% hatch rate of turkeys. No external pip and I didn’t do a necropsy since last time I did it I couldn’t tell what was wrong either.
The only thing I can think of is the feed is wrong for these turkeys. They’re on the same layer feed as my chickens. Any recommendations or ideas on what the deal is?
I really doubt it was the feed. Chicken layer isn't very high pro for turkeys, but it should be adequate for at least some fertility. It might be wise to check those eggs to see if they were ever fertile. Last spring I had a chicken incubator run where none of the eggs even started to develop. I chalked it up to a bad rooster. What are you using for a Tom?
When I check unhatched full-term eggs, I put them inside a plastic zip-lock sandwich bag before I crack them open to see what I can see. That way, no mess, no stink and easy disposal.
I candled the eggs at 18 days and they were developed (I saw the partial development and movement at day 10 too).
I agree it would be hard to say it’s the feed but it’s all I could come up with. Eggs are gone now. I did the same with the bag and even used a paper plate in the bag. It’s disgusting but it’s worth it, assuming you can identify the problem.
Wow. That's crazy that you didn't get ANY to hatch if they were developing. Maybe next time, try a run of only turkeys? I guess that's what I'd try next as a WAG - with no further clues.
Yeah it was pretty disappointing. The turkeys hatching was my main goal. I just filled the remaining spots w chicken eggs.
Maybe it is actually worth the effort to pick up some birds that can sit on eggs. These turkey mommas try and sit but they stink and can’t make them hatch (last year’s results)
Eggs up to 7 days old are good to work with.
I know less year, several hatches I tried, the older eggs did not do well.
I went to hatching every week. Stored eggs up to 7 days, and
whatever I had, went into the incubator, or under a hen.
This brought the hatch rate percentage up a lot.
I was working with chicken eggs.
Currently I have bantam chickens and duck eggs in the same
incubator. I loaned one out, so had to do it this way.
Well this is depressing. Somehow I forgot that turkey eggs are 28 days. I was thinking turkeys are the same as chickens. I killed all my eggs because I’m an idiot.
Sorry to hear that! Now you know what to do differently though for the future.
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