BB White turkey -- Its A Boy!

[CatJane0x0]

I'll check the toes when I get home. I have never heard of that one before!

He/she likes to come up on the porch and rest while I feed her dandelion weeds. -Looks like a Star Wars Walker wandering through the yard when I lay on my stomach and watch him/her scavenge through the grass. Goofy thing.

 

[chicks4kids]

Yes, they are goofy! I have a turkey hen from last spring that has stole our heart and lives with the chickens-doesn't bother her that she's 5 times their size, they love her(all 30 lbs.)and she loves them!! They're funny critters!

 

[CatJane0x0]

They add a lot of comical effect to the yard that's agreed, lol - This one is very friendly. I had raised a turkey 15 years ago when I was a child. I just hope this one can stay as fit as possible. Lots of exercise and foraging!

Good to see some color coming to the face...was so pale I was wondering if it was normal.
The other poults of this age that my friend had were very red faced!


I wanted to share what I saw today as far as the toes idea goes...

Female? Yes? No?


I need to make a better roost tomorrow...other than that everything is going good!

 

[chicks4kids]

By going by the toe theory, I'm going to say a male. But that's only in theory.....I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's a girl. However, not to add injury to insult, in your pics, the snood is also telling me its a boy...hangs lower than most

I thought my girl was a tom because it had a beard...then this spring after thinking it was a boy for half of its life, it laid an egg!!! I don't think that you'll have to worry about it crushing your girls...from what I've heard, and seen here at my house, a male cannot mount a hen--he's just too broad. I know mine struts around like he's king ding-a-ling, but that's all he gets done

 

[CatJane0x0]

King Ding-a-ling, eh? lol, That's the perfect name for a tom turkey.
I would like either gender to be honest....just the hens getting hurt scares me. My young roo is fond of him/her, but probably will let the feathers fly if a hen gets bugged.

I will keep a close eye over the months. Thanks for the lucky thoughts!
I'll update when I find out what I have for certain. Thank you for all the help!

 

[justanotheramy]

That turkey looks just like my Rhonda (who's now about 3 months old)... or maybe it's Rodney? Seriously, spitting image (except the turkey farm Rhonda was rescued from seems to have de-beaked her).
I came across this forum because I was looking for information about the strange clump of what look like wiry mutated feathers I found today on Rhonda's chest... and it turns out my Rhonda has a beard. Hmmm.
I've read that some hens can have beards, but... is that likely?

 

[CatJane0x0]

I believe I heard that hey can have beards as well -- I know both strut, but female can't hold the strut for long like a male. Mine doesn't have any trace of a beard...at least yet. These guys are a real puzzle when it comes to gender I guess.

I wanted to mention that when a loud noise happens or I dump food in, my turkey makes a LOUD "Wup! Wup!" kind of noise. That's the best I can describe it. That's the only news other than getting bigger. Not too chubby yet at least, still jumps and runs fast for now...so that's good.

 

[justanotheramy]

I know the "wup" -- I describe it as a "pop!", or as being a bit like the Road Runner or like she's swallowed a mobile phone. She does it whenever she's excited... like when she's eating.

 

[CatJane0x0]

Oh yeah -- I know that one. The minute I open the door to let everyone out, he/she flies and starts digging about doing that "pop!" sound and a series of "Wee, wee!" noises. This one is like the "pop" but much louder. Every time I hear it, his/her head is straight up and looking serious. Maybe a spooked out noise? Or a forlorn call? It doesn't sound to me like a gobble, but maybe a practice one?
Lol, I have a lot to learn about turkey talk.

Funny to watch the runner ducks go outside to scavenge with them. They try to be bullies and slam their necks over the chickens when they first get out there, but Merril (the turkey) will not allow it. He/she slowly approaches and then looms over them. The ducks back away and begin pecking at something innocently. Such a gentle bird, but knows when to lay down the law.

 

[Olive Hill]

IME, the males are the ones that respond to loud noises, not females. Based on that, the toes and the snood I too vote jake on this one.