Backpack, but for turkeys

[R2elk]

Unbelievable. I have 48 hours of GPS data from my hen, and followed her footsteps exactly. Still cannot find her nest!!

It will be where she spent time in one position. They may cover their eggs with leaves.

 

[fat brown hen]

It will be where she spent time in one position. They may cover their eggs with leaves.

There were a couple suspicious detours into thick brambles. I will check again tomorrow. They lay almost every day during laying season, right?

 

[Evadig]

There were a couple suspicious detours into thick brambles. I will check again tomorrow. They lay almost every day during laying season, right?

Mine doesn't lay every day.
But I am only posting to say that one of my turkey hens always wanted to nest under a big log that had fallen into a bramble thicket. It was nearly impossible to get in there to collect the eggs. But one day a racoon got her.
Just be prepared for potential losses...it was a bit upsetting when we found her body.

 

[R2elk]

There were a couple suspicious detours into thick brambles. I will check again tomorrow. They lay almost every day during laying season, right?

That depends on the individual hen. Some lay every other day, some two days in a row and some 3 days in a row. I had one last year that would lay up to 5 days in a row.

 

[fat brown hen]

Mine doesn't lay every day.
But I am only posting to say that one of my turkey hens always wanted to nest under a big log that had fallen into a bramble thicket. It was nearly impossible to get in there to collect the eggs. But one day a racoon got her.
Just be prepared for potential losses...it was a bit upsetting when we found her body.

Aw, I am sorry that happened. I worry about that a lot too. If I find the nest I plan to transplant it into the coop.

 

[R2elk]

Aw, I am sorry that happened. I worry about that a lot too. If I find the nest I plan to transplant it into the coop.

That doesn't usually work. They just try to find a more hidden spot.

 

[fat brown hen]

That doesn't usually work. They just try to find a more hidden spot.

What if I leave 1 or 2 eggs behind? We can compromise on the nest location, but I don't want her to try to brood there.

 

[R2elk]

What if I leave 1 or 2 eggs behind? We can compromise on the nest location, but I don't want her to try to brood there.

If you leave a few eggs behind mark or date them so you can identify them. That should keep her laying in the same place.

I have successfully moved a turkey hen and her nest once she is broody. I first move the hen into a pen by herself and the bring the eggs to her.

 

[R2elk]

Each one makes its own rules.

 

[fat brown hen]

Still no sign of nest. I tested the GPS tracker on a walk, and it does not appear to be very accurate. The manufacturer says the GPS accuracy is within 8 meters, which is fine for a lost dog but basically useless for finding a nest in thick brambles. An Airtag might be better.