- Male wild turkeys (toms) display elaborate courtship rituals to attract females (hens) during the breeding season, which typically occurs in spring.
- Toms fan out their tail feathers, strut around, and gobble to impress the hens.
Nesting:
- Hens select a nesting site that provides concealment, often under bushes, in tall grasses, or near logs or rocks.
- They construct a shallow nest on the ground, using leaves, grasses, and other natural materials.
Egg Laying:
- Once a hen establishes her nest, she begins laying eggs.
- Wild turkeys typically lay one egg per day until the clutch is complete, which can range from 10 to 15 eggs.
Incubation:
- After the last egg is laid, the hen begins the incubation process, which lasts approximately 28 days.
- She remains on the nest continuously during this period, only leaving briefly to feed and stretch.
Hatching:
- Once the incubation period is complete, the eggs begin to hatch.
- The chicks (poults) are precocial, meaning they are mobile and able to leave the nest shortly after hatching.
Brooding and Rearing:
- The hen leads and cares for the poults, teaching them how to find food and providing protection.
- Poults stay with their mother until they are fully grown, which typically takes several months.