A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[rjohns39]

Folks,

My birds are six months old now... I've tried to separate my Toms and hens so that I can control breeding--but I've got a couple I'm uncertain of... Are there any certain ways to identify sex at this age? Do hens attempt to fluff like the Toms? If I can get pix of the suspect birds, can they be identified? Thanks.

 

[duluthralphie]

Folks,

My birds are six months old now... I've tried to separate my Toms and hens so that I can control breeding--but I've got a couple I'm uncertain of... Are there any certain ways to identify sex at this age? Do hens attempt to fluff like the Toms? If I can get pix of the suspect birds, can they be identified? Thanks.

Some are just educated guesses and others you never get right!

Here is one I had "sold" to Holm as a hen until a week or so ago...

 

[Molpet]

Folks,

My birds are six months old now... I've tried to separate my Toms and hens so that I can control breeding--but I've got a couple I'm uncertain of... Are there any certain ways to identify sex at this age? Do hens attempt to fluff like the Toms? If I can get pix of the suspect birds, can they be identified? Thanks.

hens should have feathers up the back of the neck.. the jakes will have naked necks...... Jakes snood will grow several inches long and hang down past their beak when excited... both will strut

 

[duluthralphie]

hens should have feathers up the back of the neck.. the jakes will have naked necks...... Jakes snood will grow several inches long and hang down past their beak when excited... both will strut

Could you tell the one in the picture above his stuff. I don't think he read the "toms should" book!

His tail grew in the last month was why I started watching "him".

 

[Molpet]

Could you tell the one in the picture above his stuff. I don't think he read the "toms should" book!

His tail grew in the last month was why I started watching "him".

takes after his owner... dares to be different

 

[R2elk]

Could you tell the one in the picture above his stuff. I don't think he read the "toms should" book!

His tail grew in the last month was why I started watching "him".

There are numerous cases of late developing toms. I had one myself several years ago. I made sure that my late developing tom never got a chance to make more like him.

 

[holm25]

Mr. T was a late developer if I remember correctly. I knew his brothers were toms before him at least

 

[rjohns39]

So.... what you're telling me is that I've either setup a hen to be gang raped and possibly put unwanted Toms in with my hens or.... ?????

This is very challenging. I hope to one day figure this out...

 

[duluthralphie]

So.... what you're telling me is that I've either setup a hen to be gang raped and possibly put unwanted Toms in with my hens or.... ?????

This is very challenging. I hope to one day figure this out...

Yep, you got it!!!

As much as I would like to do what R2Elk said and not let that tom breed, if you look at his color you can see why I must let him breed. I need his genes!

 

[memphis]

Rjohns, post pictures of said hens/toms. We can try guessing! Make sure you include pics of the chest feathers.

Feathers are starting to poke out of the ends of Annie's pins on her neck. Mind you, the pins go from her ears all the way down her neck. And they are pretty long. Its funny looking with the little red tufts at the ends. As if she couldnt get odder looking! I'll try to get pics.

It was in the high 40's today. Mostly sunny but with a stiff wind making it uncomfortable to be outside. Looked out the back door and saw two turkey heads looking out of the door of the garage. I had the side door open. Walked down there to find both hens sitting side by side in the patch of sunlight streaming through the door. They had found a way to enjoy the sun out of the wind. They started chirping excitingly when they saw me like a couple of little kids. But didn't bother to get off their fat butts. I got the impression they thought themselves exceedingly clever. If turkeys have such thoughts!