Wild turkeys typically mate and breed in the springtime. The exact timing of wild turkey mating and nesting can vary depending on the region and climate, but generally occurs between March and May. After mating, the hen wild turkey will lay a clutch of eggs and incubate them for about 4 weeks before the poults (baby turkeys) hatch out. So most wild turkey poults are born in the months of April, May, or early June.
Wild Turkey Mating Season
The breeding and nesting season for wild turkeys begins when winter ends and spring arrives. This corresponds with increasing daylight hours and warming temperatures.
In most parts of the wild turkey’s range, mating takes place in March, April, and May. The peak of breeding activity is usually in April and May.
Some key factors that influence the exact timing of the mating season include:
- Location – Turkeys in southern regions may start mating earlier in the spring compared to northern areas.
- Weather – Warm, early springs may cause the breeding season to start sooner.
- Age of turkey – Older male turkeys (toms) tend to start mating earlier than younger males.
During the breeding season, male turkeys (toms) will perform elaborate mating displays to attract females (hens). This includes spreading their tail feathers, puffing out their body feathers, dragging their wings, and gobbling loudly. The toms will strut back and forth to entice hens and show off in front of competing males.
Once a hen is ready to mate, she will crouch down and allow the male to breed her. A single successful mating is all that is needed to fertilize a hen’s clutch of eggs for the season. Hens can mate with more than one male during mating season.
Turkey Nesting and Egg Laying
After mating, wild turkey hens will look for appropriate nesting sites to lay their eggs. Favorite nesting areas include forest clearings, shrub thickets, grassy fields, and edges between habitat types.
Turkeys build fairly simple nests on the ground by scraping out a shallow depression and lining it with leaves, grass, and feathers. The nests are often placed near logs, stumps, brush piles, or other natural structures that help conceal the nest.
Peak nesting period aligns closely with peak mating activity in April and May. However, some early and late nesters may settle down on their nest as early as late March or as late as mid June.
Once the nest is prepared, the hen will lay a clutch of about 10-12 eggs over a period of two weeks. Some hens may lay over 20 eggs in a season. The eggs are tan or buff colored with brown speckles, and about 3 inches long.
Incubation and Hatching
After all the eggs have been laid, the wild turkey hen will start incubating the nest. Incubation lasts for about 28 days until the poults hatch out. The hen sits very tightly on the nest and only leaves it for brief periods each day to feed, drink water, and dust-bathe.
If the nests are undisturbed, most wild turkey eggs will hatch between late April and early June. Late-season nests may hatch as late as early July.
When the poults hatch out, they are covered in downy feathers and able to leave the nest immediately. The young poults follow their mother, who shows them how and where to find food.
Early Life and Development
In the first couple weeks after hatching, wild turkey poults are very vulnerable to predators, exposure, and accidents. This is an especially hazardous time and mortality rates are high.
Poults grow and develop quickly. They can make short flights at 2 weeks old and roost in trees by about 4 weeks. The poults stick close to their mother who protects them and shows them how to find food.
Around 12-14 weeks old, the poults are nearly fully grown. Now they are strong fliers and can fend for themselves. At this age, poults begin to separate from their mother and live independently. They may form small flocks with other juveniles.
In the fall, the poults are large enough to evade most predators. Survival rates increase drastically as the poults grow older and stronger. After surviving their first year, they can live for several more years in the wild.
Geographic and Regional Variation
While most wild turkeys follow the mating and nesting timeline described above, there are some variations across their range. Here are some key regional differences:
Florida and the Deep South
The breeding season starts earliest in southern and coastal areas like Florida, southern Texas, and coastal Georgia. Here, mating activity may begin in late January and February, with peak breeding in March and April. Hatching occurs from mid-April through May.
Northern States and Canada
In more northerly climates like Minnesota, New York, Michigan, and southern Canada, the breeding season happens a few weeks later. Mating typically runs from early April through May, with eggs hatching mainly in May or June.
Higher Elevations
At higher elevations in mountainous areas the breeding season will be delayed. In locations over 5,000 feet in elevation, turkey nesting may occur from late May well into July, with poults hatching in mid to late summer.
Arid Climates
In arid environments of the southwest like Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, etc., timing can vary depending on rainfall patterns. During wet years, the breeding season mirrors average timing. But during drought conditions it may be delayed.
Why Spring?
There are several key reasons wild turkeys mate and nest during the spring season:
- Weather – Mild spring temperatures allow for egg incubation. Too hot or cold and eggs won’t develop properly.
- Day length – Increasing daylight stimulates breeding instincts and behavior.
- Food availability – More insects and vegetation become available to feed hens and poults.
- Predators – Dense spring vegetation helps hide nests and young poults.
By timing reproduction with spring, wild turkeys maximize their chances for mating success, egg and poult survival, and good nutrition for developing poults.
Population Impacts
The timing of mating and nesting is very important for wild turkey population growth and stability.
If the breeding season is delayed by severe weather, hens may not be able to successfully incubate eggs or rear poults due to lack of time and resources before winter returns. Population numbers may decline after such a year.
When the breeding seasons occurs on time or earlier, wild turkey productivity and recruitment of poults into the population increases. More poults will translate into more adults in the coming years.
Biologists track the timing of nesting seasons closely as part of monitoring efforts for wild turkey populations. Understanding nesting chronology allows prediction of reproductive success and helps guide management plans.
Management and Conservation
In areas where wild turkeys have been reintroduced after extirpation, care is taken to release turkeys just prior to the normal breeding season for that region. This gives the birds time to settle in and establish breeding territories before mating time arrives.
Regulated spring hunting seasons are carefully timed and controlled to avoid excessive disturbance of mating activities. Only male turkeys are legal to harvest in spring.
Habitat management for wild turkeys revolves heavily around providing appropriate spring nesting cover and habitat for reproduction. Prescribed burning and timber harvesting are often used to stimulate new growth of grasses, shrubs, and vegetation needed by nesting hens and broods.
Summary
To summarize the key points:
- Wild turkeys breed and nest in the springtime, typically March through May.
- Hens lay eggs in April and May which take about 4 weeks to incubate.
- Most wild turkey poults hatch out in May or early June.
- The exact timing depends on region, climate, and weather patterns.
- Spring provides ideal conditions for mating, nesting, and poult survival.
So in answer to the original question, the main months that wild turkeys have babies are April, May, and June in most areas. The poults hatch out and enter the population during this key spring birthing period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about wild turkey reproduction timing:
How long after mating do turkey eggs hatch?
Turkey eggs take around 28 days to incubate before hatching. Poults will hatch about 4 weeks after the eggs are laid and fertilized.
Do wild turkeys only mate in the spring?
Yes, wild turkeys only breed and nest in spring. The biological drive to mate is triggered by increasing daylight and warming temperatures.
Why do turkey poults hatch at different times?
Variations in nesting dates lead to staggered hatching. Some hens nest earlier or later than others. Late nests and re-nests after nest failure also extend the hatching timeline.
Can turkeys mate and nest in the fall or winter?
No. Out-of-season mating and nesting does not occur because turkeys rely on environmental cues like day length that trigger breeding behavior in spring.
How can you tell when turkey mating season starts?
Signs of the start of mating season include male turkeys gobbling, strutting, and competing for hens. Hens will also begin visiting potential nesting areas.
Conclusion
In summary, wild turkeys breed and nest in the spring, with the peak of mating in April and May. Hens lay eggs that take about 28 days to incubate before hatching out as poults, mostly in the months of May and June. Regional variations in climate and weather can impact the exact timing. Understanding the nesting chronology is key knowledge for properly managing wild turkey populations.
