Do only male turkeys "poof"

[PQ]

I'm sure a few of you know I bought guinea eggs and was sent turkey. For those of you that didnt know Laugh at me now for being so silly and not knowing. Anyway our gurkey (as it has been named on BYC) is a sweet thing. It will go around the pen collect all the chicks and cover them. It comes running to there rescue at any sound they make. It also will "poof" up and walk around the pen. We thought it was a girl because of the protection it gives the chicks some the same age as it is. But the poofing up... I thought that was a male trait. Do the male turkeys protect the chicks? Thanks for any help you can give me as we have never raised turkeys, guinea or gurkeys

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

poofing up... also known as strutting is a male trait, but hens will also strut when younger, or they puff up not like a male but tail feathers will fan out , not erect but more in the natural position and they look bigger, when a new turkey is around. Our Molted black tom raised 25 poults this last fall, as they where his ?? He would even let them cuddle under him a night or when they got a little chilled. He would interact with them and if heard one chirping he would take off and go investigate. So yes a tom will take of young poults/chicks. A picture would really help in telling you if it is a tom or hen.

 

[Master S.M.C]

Males are probably more likely when trying to mate

 

[Struttn1]

I have turkey hens that can imitate a strutting gobbler perfectly except for the gobble and at times they will even try that. Very comical birds.

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
I agree, we have a couple of hens that will strut just like a tom. They just can't hold it for very long.

Steve in NC

 

[PQ]

Quote:
The turkey tends to poof out when new people come in or up to the pen. It is in the same natural position just poofed oh yes tail feathers are fanned out. I will try to get a better picture later. Its getting a little dark now.
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/PQCraig/criag2009092.jpg

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Looks like a hen to me in that picture.

 

[PQ]

Quote:
I agree, we have a couple of hens that will strut just like a tom. They just can't hold it for very long.

Steve in NC

How long do Toms hold? This turkey has not "striked the pose" for more then a few secs at a time it was hatched in May.

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
I agree, we have a couple of hens that will strut just like a tom. They just can't hold it for very long.

Steve in NC

How long do Toms hold? This turkey has not "striked the pose" for more then a few secs at a time it was hatched in May.

Our toms will strut from sun up to sun down. The hens will only do it for a short time.

Steve in NC

 

[LoveMyBirds]

But the poofing up... I thought that was a male trait. Do the male turkeys protect the chicks? Thanks for any help you can give me as we have never raised turkeys, guinea or gurkeys

Last fall when my Red Bourbon turkey were growing I had 7 left out of 15 I had ordered from Murrey's..

Anyway, by the red neck and heads they would show at times and the strut.. I thought I had 6 Gobs and 1 hen..

But after they finally matured, it turns out I have 6 hens and only 1 Gobler...

Am I happy....

So to your question, Yes, the hens will strut and get the red neck and head bit when young... I do not see the hens doing that now.. But maybe that's because it's winter time..

Edited this and added this right after I saw your Turkey PIC... By PIC it's hard to say.. My Turkeys had the Red Head and Neck at times like that with the short Nod... Until it grows up you'll not know for sure.. Cute little bugger...