A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Bantambird]

So this hen matches the red slate toms.

What color is this hen, then?

Does she have an extra red gene?

 

[R2elk]

Yes large area makes Easter egg hunt more fun.

I have 6 turkey hens. Their nests are scattered over an area of approximately 1 1/2 acres. I found 6 freshly laid turkey eggs yesterday.

One of the hens didn't feel like plodding through the snow to get to her nest in the garden so she dropped it on the floor in the middle of the coop.

 

[R2elk]

So this hen matches the red slate toms. View attachment 3051948
What color is this hen, then?
View attachment 3051949
Does she have an extra red gene?

If she is a Red Slate, no. If she is something else, maybe.

 

[Huntmaster]

@R2elk and @Bantambird Did you guys get all that white stuff in your area?

 

[R2elk]

That was a few days ago. Last night was just frickin' cold.

 

[Molpet]

https://www.fieldandstream.com/hunt...l&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=fieldandstream

They claim it's not a domestic white turkey

 

[R2elk]

https://www.fieldandstream.com/hunt...l&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=fieldandstream

They claim it's not a domestic white turkey

They can claim whatever they want to claim. It is my experience that G&F personnel are not very familiar with turkey color genetics.

It is entirely possible that it was a wild hatched bird since it would only require that both the mother and father each have one recessive white color gene (c).

 

[Bantambird]

@R2elk and @Bantambird Did you guys get all that white stuff in your area?

almost a blizzard yesterday here. got somewhere around maybe a foot? hard to tell with how the wind was blowing and the drifting, but they closed the interstate yesterday. I just hope my new bees made it through the storm. Had to bring the new livestock guardian puppy into the garage because that wind cut deep and you could not see the fence through the snow. I should look how much I got, I am giddy with delight at getting any moisture at all. Was very concerned with severe drought, still concerned but this is a major reprieve.

 

[Bantambird]

They can claim whatever they want to claim. It is my experience that G&F personnel are not very familiar with turkey color genetics.

It is entirely possible that it was a wild hatched bird since it would only require that both the mother and father each have one recessive white color gene (c).

We all know that the wilds sometimes mix with the domestics, as well. I have had a few hens come get bred before by my toms, and there are people who have lost their domestics to a wild flock stealing them. They are technically the same species and can produce very viable offspring with excellent hybrid vigor.

 

[R2elk]

We all know that the wilds sometimes mix with the domestics, as well. I have had a few hens come get bred before by my toms, and there are people who have lost their domestics to a wild flock stealing them. They are technically the same species and can produce very viable offspring with excellent hybrid vigor.

All of the domestic turkeys are descended from the wild turkeys. The different color genes most likely happened originally from mutations that are still capable of happening.