Found a Nest

[Stlbaseball1]

Long story short, found a nest this morning. 7 total eggs. 3 of em were busted and a couple feet away from the nest. 4 were in the nest, still intact. For you guys that are more educated than me, I have 2 initial questions. Why did the nest raider leave 4 eggs? Will the hen return to this nest and 4 eggs or not?

 

[megalomaniac]

That is unusual. Most predators would clean out the nest.

It is common during incubation for a hen to kick an egg or two out of the nest that ended up being infertile or quit developing.

Regardless, that nest is lost unless it's a hen that just started laying and is working her way up to a normal clutch size of 10 to 14.

 

[Stlbaseball1]

Thanks for the education. Can you explain to me why this nest is lost if she isn't working her way up to normal clutch size?

 

[Creek]

I wonder if crows could be responsible ?

 

[MickThompson]

I can't imagine a hen would return to a nest that's been predated. The nest raider will probably return for the rest of the eggs (you may have nearly caught it in the act) and would likely catch the hen as well.

 

[woodsman04]

Raccoons will leave them and return later.

 

[Stlbaseball1]

It amazes me that a wild turkey can ever successfully reproduce with all of the obstacles a hen and poults face. I know the recent data shared on here reflects that not many are successful as it relates to poults per hen. Truly awesome the few that do.