How to choose a breeding Tom

[sashacat]

I have 3 beautiful Royal Palm Toms that are just 4 months old. I am hoping to choose the best one to breed with the 2 hens in spring and the other 2 will unfortunately have to go live in the freezer when fall comes. What do I look for in choosing the best one to keep? Size, attitude, feathering, the one the ladies like best? They are just starting to do the show off stuff and are so pretty. Any advice?

 

[LR Gamefarm]

the biggest and prettiest tom

 

[Oregon Blues]

The one with the most pleasant temperament.

I'd use the size of the breast muscles as the tie breaker.

 

[turkaholic]

I always keep the best two. If you keep only one and kill off the others, without fail, something happens to your #1breeder before next spring and your left scrambling to find another gobbler. At least that's been my experience! Besides, after the #1 Tom has done his job and your up to your eyeballs in fertile eggs and full incubators, you can still send #2 to freezer camp or sell him at a premium price to someone else who needs one...... and did exactly what you 're planning!

 

[sashacat]

Ok, so if I keep 2, assuming I have the space.... How do I keep them from fighting? Do they have to have separate housing?

 

[kangababy]

If they were raised together and your enclosure is big enough you can keep them together. They may fight on occasion like Brothers would but it is better than trying to introduce a new tom right before or during breeding season. Thent he females wil even pick on him.

We are now moving our breeders into a pen together for next years season they have have plenty of time to get used to each other and work out their problems.

 

[sashacat]

Well, I will contemplate keeping the best two. They tussle around alot, but nothing too serious yet. I guess I can separate them in spring if need be. The biggest 2? They all 3 look about even at this point. Guess i have time to choose yet. Thanks for your suggestions!