? on breeding cycle

[wisconsinteacher]

The last few weeks I have been seeing single hens.  They roost together but when they fly down, they go different directions.  To me this is a good sign because toms will get lonely and start to gobble mid day.  What I am seeing though is instead of a flock of hens, the toms are with one hen.  To me they are locked down with one hen like a buck gets locked down with a doe.  I also noticed that when I see a hen and call to her, she turns and walks away.  So why is there just one hen with the tom or toms and why do the lone hens walk away from my calls when they are by themselves?

[weave]

The last few weeks I have been seeing single hens.  They roost together but when they fly down, they go different directions.  To me this is a good sign because toms will get lonely and start to gobble mid day.  What I am seeing though is instead of a flock of hens, the toms are with one hen.  To me they are locked down with one hen like a buck gets locked down with a doe.  I also noticed that when I see a hen and call to her, she turns and walks away.  So why is there just one hen with the tom or toms and why do the lone hens walk away from my calls when they are by themselves?

I have the same thing....would love to know why this is (I am new to this).

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[longspur]

I've always thought they were old, laid out hens, and like an old longnose doe, extreamly hard to fool. Or maybe just selfish and even though she has no use for the toms don't want any other hens around them. Thats just my guess.

[wisconsinteacher]

If she is an old hen that will not have a nest, why would the toms follow her? 

[weave]

The one I keep seeing keeps coming out about the same time, feeds the same way, pays no attention too my decoys or my calling.  She just feeds and leaves, alone.

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[joshb311]

The birds I took Saturday were traveling in a group similar to what you described. One hen and three toms. I was scratching my head and rubbing my eyes to be sure I was seeing what I was seeing. I have come across countless groups on the property with a strong mixture of toms and hens but this was the first time I have seen a solo hen with a group of males.