3 month old bourbon strutting question

[TammyP]

Hi. My 3 month old bourbon has made himself known that he is a he. Now he's starting to do his strutting around stuff on and off.

I'm new to turkeys (first season) and have a question about this behavior... my one and a half year old grand daughter came into the coop last nite and was walking around and the turkey immediately puffed up and started walking towards her.... is this normal?? Is this strutting not only a 'showing off to the ladies' thing but an attack thing as well? I felt very uncomfortable and scooped her up right away....

Was he going to hurt her or what do you think was going on? Should I keep her away from the chicken coop (yes, our bourbon is with the chickens) or perhaps I should separate our turkey? I just don't want him to be lonely since he's been with the chickens all his life.... I've got 10 more bourbons (8 that are 6 weeks and 2 that are 2 weeks) that are in the brooders....

Thanks for any answers.....

Here's a pic of "Brit".....he thinks he is such a 'big boy'...

~Tammy

Edit: link removed and a pic of Brit added.

 

[chicmom]

Hello! Turkeys will "puff up" when they feel threatened, to make themselves look really big and scary. Doesn't necessarily mean they will attack. And of course, they also do it to court the ladies......

I think you're right in scooping up your little girl though.....No need to take chances.

I've got my first turkeys as well, and they are just about six weeks old. I have a Royal Palm and a Blue Slate. I was so excited because the Royal Palm started displaying and sort of courting the other turkey. Then I found out that all poults, male and female, display.

Not sure if your turkey is still considered a poult since it's 12 weeks old though........Mine are half that age. I'll have to look you up on facebook (it's banned here at the office). Love to see your pics!

Sharon

 

[TammyP]

Hi Sharon. I've added a pic of Brit on my first post since I figured facebook might not be allowed on some computers. I'll try and take a pic of Brit not puffed up and post it later.

I figured he was a he not only because of the puffing up and little dance thing but he also did the 'gobblegobble'.......I thought I heard somewhere that only the males gobble.... perhaps I am wrong... lol

~Tammy

 

[TammyP]

Here are a few more pics of Brit

~Tammy

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
TOO CUTE !!!!!

 

[chicmom]

hi Tammy!

He really does look like a Tom to me! And I read where they get the red and blue on their heads, where the hens don't have blue on their heads at all. (I'm just learning too....not much experience here!) LOL

Wow, he's really big! I can't wait until mine are larger like that. My little ones really can fly. I might have to clip some feathers on one wing, but I've never even done that on a chicken before. I figure they kind of need to fly a bit since mine free range alot.

OH, I just thought of something.....My little granddaughter often wears bright colors.....I know my rooster will really get upset if I wear bright colors like red or pink or orange.....Did she maybe have on a brightly colored shirt? I wonder if turkeys would react to colors like chickens will.....

Thanks for sharing your pics....I'll have to take some of my little poults.

Sharon