Are turkeys supposed to have feathery heads?

[Razz Gavin]

I have an approximately 6 month old black turkey who has grown feathers all over his/her head/neck. I'm completely new to owning turkeys and this one is my first and only so this might be completely normal, but I just want to make sure because I'm having a hard time finding any information about turkeys regrowing head feathers. Up to a few weeks ago he was completely bald like any other turkey, then I went on a six week roadtrip and when I returned his head looked nearly black from all the feathers that had regrown. I know turkeys can still have some fuzz around their bald head, but these feather tufts are completely growing back. I'm only slightly worried because I know about diseases such as Cushing's which can involve uncontrolled hair growth and was worried that the regrowth of feathers could be a sign for something else.

6 weeks ago



Current



After looking up black turkeys some more, I saw some females with feathered heads. So maybe this is just finally the deciding trait that means it's a girl. I'm just a little confused because I always thought that once a turkey went bald it would stay bald.

 

[jandlpoultry]

Looks like you have a hen! They get the feathers back on their heads, and toms stay bald.

 

[chknoodles]

not to mention that cute LITTLE snood!

 

[Razz Gavin]

It's a good thing I never got around to giving her an official name otherwise it would've been something manly. I'll need to get used to seeing these new feathers still but at least they make her head a lot softer to cuddle with

 

[chicken pickin]

Looks like you have a hen! They get the feathers back on their heads, and toms stay bald.

X2 Feathered Mohawk head means Hen

 

[jim c]

I'm currently raising midget whites and have noticed that as the fall temps start to dip down that my hen has started to have more feathers on her head. She now has a full head of feathers and my tom is starting to show signs of a few more feathers also.
As the weather continues to get cold they will have more feathers, as spring comes and the first molt happens you will see that the head will become more bald. its the turkeys cold weather adaptation. and from the looks you have a tom for sure. hope this helps. Jim

 

[ivan3]

Every so often the feathers keep coming in...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/713600/crested-turkeys

 

[Razz Gavin]

So this isn't actually just a hen growing in a naturally feathery head? She/he still has a small snood and has never gobbled before, but she/he's very aggressive towards dogs and my cousin and used to fan his/her tail at around 3 months old. How aggressive are hens usually? It's been my bird's attitude towards other animals that's made me believe it was a male. Are females normally consistently aggressive towards other animals?

 

[jandlpoultry]

I think your hen is normal, but attitude varies between birds. My hens like to get in between the boys when they spare. One of my girls hates splash old English game roosters, and will chase them.I have a tom who climbs in my lamp for petting, if his feet are clean and I let him.