Hen's first nesting

[Greg Massey]

Read something interesting today, juvenile hen disperse prior to their first nesting attempts. The juvenile hen was captured in February in Southeast Louisiana. Once captured, she and the flock she was with meandered south, generally following the Tangipahoe River. This was normal feeding habits of the flock. The point at which the hen decides to disperse, and go to look for a range to use for her first nesting attempt in April she had covered considerable distance of 22 miles. Just shows how much the habitat plays in hens nesting areas. Turkeys are amazing birds.

[tlh2865]

I wonder if this has less to do with nesting habitat and more to do with a evolutionary desire for genetic diversity.
Yearling bucks make a similar migration when they get kicked out of the doe family group. Keeps them from breeding with their mothers, sisters, and cousins.
Maybe hens leaving the flocks are trying to do something similar?

[guesswho]

22 miles?   Dang, surprising.   I think before I walked 22 miles I'd try to find a distant cousin.

[Greg Massey]

I wonder if this has less to do with nesting habitat and more to do with a evolutionary desire for genetic diversity.
Yearling bucks make a similar migration when they get kicked out of the doe family group. Keeps them from breeding with their mothers, sisters, and cousins.
Maybe hens leaving the flocks are trying to do something similar?

Agree , it's very interesting, i never figured one would travel 22 miles.

[TauntoHawk]

I wonder if this has less to do with nesting habitat and more to do with a evolutionary desire for genetic diversity.
Yearling bucks make a similar migration when they get kicked out of the doe family group. Keeps them from breeding with their mothers, sisters, and cousins.
Maybe hens leaving the flocks are trying to do something similar?

That's was in instant take when I read the same info, makes sense from the genetic side especially since the males often remain in the same area they grew up. Deer just happen to do the opposite but with the same effect

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[FL-Boss]

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[salukigobbler]

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[Harty]

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