A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[memphis]

Aww, love the turkey pen cushion. It's cute!

Stephcraig...I'm guessing tom. But not sure.

Did y'all notice they are having a Halloween costume contest? And dang it, Daisy is molting so bad I can't dress her up. My chickens would freak out. But I'd bet I could get a costume on Daisy. Annie would eat it. Daisy was my only hope. Darn.....

 

[R2elk]

View attachment 1164742 View attachment 1164743 View attachment 1164744 View attachment 1164745 Here’s some better pics of chest and front of he/she. Gonna try to get video link done shortly.

The last shot clearly shows breast feathers with light colored lower edges which is only a hen trait. That picture also clearly shows that the breast feathers are multi colored which negates the light color lower edges as a factor. It also shows where the beard is starting but not whether it is a hen type beard or a tom type beard.

The legs, the caruncles, the snood and the mohawk all look like hen features to me. All the other actions that you have described other than the actual mounting other hens are all things that my hens do.

My toms for the most part don't bother with the roosters but the hens will certainly go after the roosters.

It is possible that it could be a late developing tom but I suspect it is a messed up hen with possibly a damaged ovary. One of the earliest indicators that I see from toms is how red they get when aroused about anything. I don't recall seeing any pictures that you posted that showed a very bright red coloring from the neck up.

If it does eventually prove to be a tom, I would not use it as a breeder.

 

[sfgwife]

Ok. So now the ladies both have places on their sides from cletis bein quite randy with them. One has a nasty gash on her side that we dealt with tonight and for nights to come. Do you remove spurs like a rooster? Either the hot potato or twistin it off? His nails need trimmed as well.. those we can do with dog clippers. Or try his nails first then if we see anymore places on the ladies go for his spurs? Or try hen saddles but bigger? Oye! We are pretty sure he has never mated before because the dolt we got him from only had toms and he was the bottom man if the guy ever did have any hens. Right now his spurs are bout an inch to inch and half long. Or is it best to separate them for a bit? I know mating is hormonal but is there a length it usually is then it slows down? Or just until his body get what it thinks it needs ever how many times that is? .

 

[duluthralphie]

I do not do anything with mine, if a Tom is inappropriate, I place him in solitary. Until he can behave or I take his head and eat him.

 

[R2elk]

Ok. So now the ladies both have places on their sides from cletis bein quite randy with them. One has a nasty gash on her side that we dealt with tonight and for nights to come. Do you remove spurs like a rooster? Either the hot potato or twistin it off? His nails need trimmed as well.. those we can do with dog clippers. Or try his nails first then if we see anymore places on the ladies go for his spurs? Or try hen saddles but bigger? Oye! We are pretty sure he has never mated before because the dolt we got him from only had toms and he was the bottom man if the guy ever did have any hens. Right now his spurs are bout an inch to inch and half long. Or is it best to separate them for a bit? I know mating is hormonal but is there a length it usually is then it slows down? Or just until his body get what it thinks it needs ever how many times that is? .

I use turkey saddles on the hens that need them. I have read recommendations to trim the toenails as they appear to be what causes the gashes in the sides.

It does not sound like he is a good breeder. Anytime I have a tom that is hurting the hens, that tom gets removed from the breeding pool.

 

[sfgwife]

I use turkey saddles on the hens that need them. I have read recommendations to trim the toenails as they appear to be what causes the gashes in the sides.

It does not sound like he is a good breeder. Anytime I have a tom that is hurting the hens, that tom gets removed from the breeding pool.

Could it be that he is just an inexperienced teenager? If so.... does it get any better with age possibly? I know you said you get rid of them but how long do you give them?

 

[sfgwife]

I do not do anything with mine, if a Tom is inappropriate, I place him in solitary. Until he can behave or I take his head and eat him.

Not sure he is doin it apurpose but more of inexperience. :/. And wonderin if he may get better at it. That’s why i asked if maybe searatin him might help for now. Til his jets cool down some. He has slowed down this week tryin but we just don’t want him hurtin our ladies anymore. So that is why i thought maybe saddles for the ladies or separating him for a bit. But wasn’t sure if either would really help cause we can’t find anything on how long he may be wantin try. Inexperience is all of us with all of this. These are our first birds of any kind. The roos figured it out without incident.

 

[duluthralphie]

@sfgwife That is why I use solitary and do not remove his head right away. I feed him well, lots of corn...I like hm nice and juicy if he does not mature and reform. If he reforms I will let him back in with the flock..

In a couple weeks he will come back into the flock on the bottom of the pecking order and may not even be allowed to talk toa hen, let alone mount her.

And if he has not learned his lesson. He either loses his head or goes to prison again..This is based on my needs for turkey meat and his plumpness.

 

[R2elk]

Could it be that he is just an inexperienced teenager? If so.... does it get any better with age possibly? I know you said you get rid of them but how long do you give them?

With 1" to 1 1/2" spurs he is not a teenager. He is at least two if not older. My experience is that toms that are poor breeders do not get better with age. If anything they get worse.

 

[duluthralphie]

With 1" to 1 1/2" spurs he is not a teenager. He is at least two if not older. My experience is that toms that are poor breeders do not get better with age. If anything they get worse.

I missed that...pot time for him...