Wild Turkey Productivity and recruitment of Wild Turkeys Wild turkey productivity and recruitment fluctuates annually, depending on nesting success and poult survival. Turkey hens are ground nesters and lay an average clutch of 11 eggs. Hens prefer nest sites which provide overhead and lateral screening cover, and which are located within 15 yards of an edge. The clutch is laid over a 2 week period and incubation lasts 28 days.
Predation is the main cause of nest failure.
Nest predators include raccoons, skunks, opossums, snakes, and crows. Environmental factors, human disturbance, and hen breeding condition may also affect nesting success. Poults, or young turkeys, cannot fly until they are about 10 days old. This makes them very susceptible to predation by bobcats, coyotes, fox, raccoons, feral dogs, and avian predators. Brood habitat must provide insects and cover for poults and allow poults to forage efficiently.