how to tell male from female turkey poultshow to tell male from female turkey poults

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. I have 5 turkey poults that are just over 4 weeks old. It might be easier to take a closer look at a feather that the turkey dropped. Feathers. The typical domestic variety on farms originated from wild turkeys. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 408,655 times. You can also check out his website for more of his great photographs and products. Males often have more iridescent feathers, especially on their breast and tail. Males are more likely to be aggressive, especially during breeding season. Since turkeys look very similar, no matter the age, how do you tell the male turkeys from the females? Female turkeys have blue-grey flesh that may be visible beneath the feathers on their heads. It requires extreme care and needs double-check also in some cases. Although, success in vent method requires a keen eye and lots of practice. These big, spectacular birds are an increasingly common sight the rest of the year, too, as flocks stride around woods and Available on Amazon.com or at Barnes&Noble. Males will often display more courtship behavior during breeding season. Participant Male turkey poults will develop a snood sooner than the females. It is typically longer on 2. What if you cant get a super close look, though? Female turkeys have blue-grey flesh that may be visible beneath the feathers on their heads. While the males have spurs or small spike-shaped bumps that should be visible from a moderate distance. 10 Birds Guide An introductory guide for childern, images of 10 birds and an online quiz. No SPAM! Caruncles really start to develop after that on males also. To play, simply call out the name of a bird instead of a number. Trying to determine the gender of your newly-hatched turkey poults can be difficult, but when they are around 3 weeks of age the males (jakes) may begin to strut. Birdbaths are easy additions that attract a larger diversity of species than just feeding birds. God bless you! How Can You Tell the Difference? Young turkeys can be difficult to sex if you dont have a lot of experience. Do male and female turkeys have different vocalizations? There are those that move far beyond the backyard with the purpose of seeing new and different bird species. WebMales usually have two testicles (testes), whereas females typically have just one ovary (ovum). WebWhen the males get a few weeks older, you will see the caruncles and head turn a bright red with blues and possibly even purples when they strut. The male poults will develop a noticeable snood sooner than females. So determining turkey gender depends on the breed you have. 391. They strut, drag their wings and long tail feathers in the dirt, puff out their beards and most spectacularly, fan their tail feathers in a great arc. How can I tell if a turkey is a juvenile or an adult? Thanks for the info. Three of mine have some white tail feathers -- I didn't know if that meant anything or not. We might only send you fresh updates once a month, No thanks! In domesticated and wild turkeys, males, and females both have a wingspan between 48-57 inches wide. No, turkeys cannot change feather colors as they age. So, people call them a hen. Instructions, a call sheet and 12 bingo cards are provided. adElem.style.width = (rect.width) + 'px'; We'll share videos on everything from caring for and raising animals, gardening, mistakes we've made and lessons learned, how-to tips, and what our day to day life is like. adElem.style.top = '10px'; John Gouldis sometimes referred to as the British Audubon. } else { While juvenile males are significantly smaller than an adult, they will be identical with one difference. Once the poults have age to them, even a few weeks, you should start to see some growth differences between them. Male droppings are j-shaped; female droppings are spiral-shaped. Download the latest report for detailed information. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Things happen and occasionally one of your birds will die or get snatched by a predator. Tn. Males will often try to impress females with their plumage and behavior. They reach independence in 4-10 months. Juvenile males have uneven tail fans, while adult toms have feathers that are uniform in size. When the poults are growing, this size difference by sex is noticeable, as well, its just easiest to see in adults. adElemSticky.style.width = rect.width + 'px';
After 28 days of incubation, the eggs hatch. The cards print on standard 8.5 x11 paper. Turkeys are not monogamous. var width = window.innerWidth; Both of your poults will end up with snoods. 3. I haven't noticed a difference in snood sizes before 10 weeks. Thanks! Thankfully, there are plenty of obvious signs you can be on the lookout forand well show you exactly what they are. WebMales usually have two testicles (testes), whereas females typically have just one ovary (ovum). Ecuador: A Nature Photography Odyssey Glenn previously spent several months of intense photographic work in Ecuador. So, people call them a hen. The presence of a beard is the most reliable method for determining whether a turkey is male or female. Male domesticated turkeys weigh 30 to 80 As adults, male turkeys, called toms, are always bigger than females, called hens. 2. In addition, male poults tend to be more territorial and aggressive toward other birds and their companions than female poults. Blast from the past The photograph below is one example of his excellent work. It is very similar in appearance to the female Black-headed Grosbeak of the western United States. Male turkeys are most easily distinguished from females by their impressive tails. But, since "it depends" is not a helpful answer in the slightest, let's dig into the things that 6 Reasons Why People (Just Like You!) As turkey poults grow, you can take an educated guess as to which gender they are, based on a few criteria. Throughout the breeding season, male turkeys often strut around while fanning out their tail feathers. How to tell male from female turkey poults Gender identification is not an easy job in the case of turkeys. If you are a beginner, you can easily identify male turkeys from females if you follow the above mentioned systems. Coloration in the turkeys were genetically removed in the 1960s when commercial turkey production gained popularity. Last year I was sure I had three bourbon red toms becasue of all the strutting. The gold was then overlaid with various colors of enamel to produce the brilliant colors flashed by hummingbirds. Do you know if there are any feathering differences? A reality warp RP. Caruncles really start to develop after that on males also. Hens also have feathers on their heads, whereas toms do not. Males tend to have a more streamlined, athletic shape, while females are more rounded. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you are serious about breeding turkeys, youll want more than one tom and a few extra hens. Can I determine the gender of a turkey by looking at its overall appearance? Females make a clucking sound. Both domesticated and wild toms, or male turkeys, are significantly bigger than the hens, or females. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Wild female turkeys, or hens, weigh from 5 to 12 pounds and range from 30 to 37 inches long. Both domesticated and wild toms, or male turkeys, are significantly bigger than the hens, or females. Search birds by color, habitat, body shape or size, Birds in U.S states. Female turkeys do not strut. Subordinate males can assist their dominant brothers in mating, but only dominant males will sire poults (babies). Female turkeys do not strut. In some breeds, males have a redder head while females have a bluish-gray head. Tn. With both a B.A. Appearance-wise, males are generally larger and have longer tail feathers, as well as a fleshy protuberance hanging from their bill called a snood. Tail Feathers. Both male and female turkeys will have a tuft of feathers under the beak called a beard. adElem.style.opacity = '1'; For more tips, like how to tell how old a turkey is, scroll down! Iake is a specific term whereas for young females use the term, Jenny. Are there any differences in the color of the turkeys legs between males and females? Whether youre prepping for a hunting trip or breeding turkeys of your own, knowing how to sex turkeys on the fly is a helpful skill to have under your belt. Only males gobble. adElem.style.position = 'fixed'; Identifying the gender of baby turkeys, also known as poults, can be challenging as they look similar in their early stages. WebHow do you tell male from female turkey poults? They do grow faster, but I have a hard time seeing that for sure, I tend to second guess myself! They posses a red flap of skin under their chins called a wattle, and they have bumps called caruncles on their heads and throats. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. You can also determine its gender by picking it up and observing whether the chick pulls its legs up or leaves them dangling. How can you tell the difference between male and female baby turkeys? No! Yes, by observing the overall appearance of the turkey, including its size, body shape, plumage, snood and wattle size, tail feathers, and behavior, you may be able to make an educated guess about its gender, but it is not always a reliable indicator. Youll see a huge difference in feed eaten per week and resulting weight of the birds. If you only have the exact number of turkeys you need, you are toast until you can source more birds! Males often have a more angular, masculine-shaped head than females. Males generally have larger feet than females. From time to time, we will post tips from Howard that can help keep your yard and flowers healthy and happy, while protecting the birds. Toms have quite elaborate, brightly colored plumage, which is quite common in many bird species. Check the beard. Related males assist in courtship, but only the dominant male will actually mate. J. Dianne Dotson is a science writer with a degree in zoology/ecology and evolutionary biology. They weigh from 18 to as much as 25 pounds and are almost 3 feet tall, making them significantly larger than females. Inspect the vent opening (located under the tail, between the birds legs) to determine the sex of baby turkeys. Note that turkeys have a shorter availability season than other birds like chickens, so plan to order earlier in the year. Female turkeys also have smaller and shorter legs than their male counterparts. Both sexes have these growths, even though the snood of an adult male is usually somewhat larger than that of a female turkey. The mother hen relocates her babies, called poults, to areas with plentiful insects for them to eat. Some common aggressive turkey behaviors include pecking and fighting. It is primarily found in the eastern half of the United States. You are using an out of date browser. Males also have sharp spurs on their legs, which are at least half an inch long. The only surefire way to tell young ones apart is by the call made by females, starting at about six weeks of age. As they grow, turkeys have the same markings in both sexes, unlike other poultry where the older males seem to have a more bold color pattern. I truly enjoy sharing our experiences (Im the writer) and helping folks get started raising animals on their own farm or in the backyard. Male turkeys will also end up showing a much more caruncled head and neck than females. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Observe the color of the head. I posted a photo on my. Bird paintings can be both inspired and inspiring. They also have feathery beards on their chest, which females typically dont have. His radio show is heard on over 200 stations across the United States. Webvideo of wild turkey sounds. We eat turkey more than just the holidays, and you should, too. In bright sunlight, their feathers cast a brilliant bronze or metallic iridescence. Both males and females have fleshy wart-like growths on their heads called caruncles. This method examines the vent, or opening, to examine the If you are raising your birds for meat, males will be bigger and probably more what people are thinking about for holiday dinners. Male turkey feathers have a metallic sheen to them in the Wild turkeys, unlike their domesticated cousins, fly well, from 40 to 55 miles per hour. In bright sunlight, their feathers cast a brilliant bronze or metallic iridescence. On the other hand, male turkeys frequently raise their tails into the shape of a fan (actually fanning the tails is an act of dominance for the male turkeys). Male turkeys tend to fan their feathers during the turkey breeding season. Bird feeding Bird feedingrepresents the larger of the two groups. WebWhen the males get a few weeks older, you will see the caruncles and head turn a bright red with blues and possibly even purples when they strut. Males often have longer and more pointed wings than females. Interestingly, their wingspan is quite similar, around 50-56 inches. Do yourself a favor and keep a few extra birds around to keep your breeding program going even when the unexpected happens. Female turkeys look like less developed males, with less body size, less caruncled skin on the head and neck and do not have a beard. However, upon closer examination, you will see that there are many differences between the two. Black Australorp (Hen) bred with Blue Plymouth Rock (Rooster)? Additionally, identifying a male turkey vs a female turkey is easier when trying to tell the difference between adult birds. Look for the snood. Top 5 Potential Risks, Can Dogs Eat Shrimp? If you need to sex turkeys for breeding purposes, hire a professional chicken sexer for help. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Those that participate in the hobby arebirders. Nesting hens prove vulnerable to predators. Content in this section covers an array of topics, from the basics of bird feeding to habitat development. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you notice that some of the poults dont look so great, skip buying from this group. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Head of the male turkey can switch from red to blue to white. Gobblers are larger-bodied birds, with a darker coloration, at times appearing almost black. There are those that feed and watch birds in their backyard. Hens occasionally strut, too, but much more briefly and usually not until they are of breeding age. Males, called toms or gobblers, are much larger than females. Males also perform this act for attracting females or even when trying to scare off potential threats. Chicken wasn't roosting, found on coop floor in the morning. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Its Safe & Best 21 Tips, Can Dogs Eat Chicharrones? It wont be much, but Id guess the difference would show up by a week or so. Male domesticated turkeys weigh 30 to 80 Adult toms boast featherless red, blue or white skin on their heads; the color changes as males grow excited. Female juveniles look exactly like their adult counterparts but are significantly smaller. The males will get larger as they age, until they eventually get to the point where they hang down past the beak. Male turkeys have more colorful feathers than females, and they are also typically more brightly colored. By using our site, you agree to our. Follow Birdzilla staff and friends as they travel across the country, Canada and around the World! Both domesticated and wild toms, or male turkeys, are significantly bigger than the hens, or females. Check out the charts that show the feed needed by age for the poults. Different turkey breeds have different coloration and other body characteristics. The easiest way to tell whether a turkey is male, or female is its size. Its tough to tell the males from the females as poults. Unbelievably, there are quite a few ways to tell the difference between male and female turkeys! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Check the beard. Male turkeys are much larger and have more elaborate plumage. While hens can spread their tails to form the signature fan shape, they will rarely do so. The female broods them at night for several weeks. Males provide no parental care for the younglings. If the legs dangle down, it is female. Male turkeys have shiny, black feathers and brightly-colored heads. Adult male turkeys have a beard that is more of a tassel of coarse hair on the front of the chest. Male turkey feathers have a metallic sheen to them in the Are there any differences in the shape of the turkeys body between males and females? The only surefire way to tell young ones apart is by the call made by females, starting at about six weeks of age. Hatching and Brooding Your Own Chicks: Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Geese, Guinea Fowl. I haven't noticed a difference in snood sizes before 10 weeks. As bird identification becomes more important, binoculars and a field guide become a valuable aid. Check the beard. Both of your poults will end up with snoods. Well-nourished females in good physical condition nest earlier than females in poor condition. 3. The hen forms a loose nest and lays up to 13 cream-colored eggs. What's the minimum number of new chicks to introduce? Turkey Beards. Watching and feeding birds in your own backyard is an enjoyable and inexpensive hobby. Exhibition, Genetics, & Breeding to the SOP, Of Feathers And Flames- A Wings of Fire AU RP, The Moonshiner's Bootleg Easter Egg Hunt (now with prizes), Daily Writing Prompt Thread Thingy It'll Be Fun, The adventures of Speedy and friends! Here we are describing more about the ways of determining turkey gender. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Both photographs by Alan Wilson. Domesticated females are thirty-five inches long and weigh around eighteen pounds. Best Tips for Determining Turkey Gender 1. We just can't get ourselves to tear down anything if it has potential to be fixed up. Top 5 Potential Risks. Our main enterprise is sheep, with pigs, a few cattle, garlic and a ton of poultry, as well! Caruncles really start to develop after that on males also. Have some feedback for us? }; Hens prefer toms with long snoods, as those indicate good health. Inspect the vent opening (located under the tail, between the birds legs) to determine the sex of baby turkeys. Many people think of backyard birds and gardens in relation to insects, the filet mignon of the bird world, which the birds readily eat and feed to their young., Welcome to Birdzilla Adventures BEYOND THE BIRD! You will see them fan their tail feathers, drop their wings and hold out all of their contour feathers to make their bodies appear larger. Male turkeys are known for their distinctive gobbling sounds, which they use to attract mates and establish dominance. Wild female turkeys, or hens, weigh from 5 to 12 pounds and range from 30 to 37 inches long. Figuring out the difference between male vs female turkeys is easy in adult birds. Some toms start strutting just about as soon as they start walking. Female turkeys, on the other hand, make soft clucking sounds, which are used to communicate with their offspring and other hens. If you are just starting out you might find his Organic Guides a great place to start. We really enjoy art focused on birds. Admittedly, it is kind of gross, but if you are tracking or hunting a wild turkey this is important to know! Last year I was sure I had three bourbon red toms becasue of all the strutting. If the vent appears bumpy, the poult is male; if it is flat, the poult is female. and M.A. Mexico boasts the ocellated turkey. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Turkey males are called toms or gobblers, and females are called hens. WebMost North American kids learn turkey identification early, by tracing outlines of their hands to make Thanksgiving cards. One way to determine turkey gender is by looking at their plumage or feathers. Female turkeys do not strut. if (rect.top <= 0) { A nearly surefire way to tell the toms from the hens is to watch for strutting, which can start at any age. For naming young males. I appreciate the opportunity to choose bird size to fit our needs. This info only applies to wild turkeys. In some breeds, males have a redder head while females have a bluish-gray head. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Digiscoping, the use of a digital camera connected to a spotting scope, has also become very popular with many birders. The snood is that little fleshy bump that is sticking out of the top of the head where the beak meets the forehead.