Is this a behaviour a hen will do?

[aoxa]

Because this is the only way my two strut. They do it to threaten my roosters (and broody chickens), but leave all the others alone. Do I have toms? They are wild turkey poults and are 18 weeks old.

 

[KrisH]

our 3 year old hen will do that sometimes too

RobertH

 

[aoxa]

our 3 year old hen will do that sometimes too

RobertH

Did she do it when she was younger?

 

[KrisH]

We've only had her a year, so I cannot say. but our 12 week old girls do it too, so probably.


RobertH

 

[aoxa]

We've only had her a year, so I cannot say.  but our 12 week old girls do it too, so probably.


RobertH

That's what I wanted to hear

You wouldn't call this a strut then?

I want to get them a tom, and I really don't want to do that until I know if they are actually hens or toms. They both look the same now.

 

[KrisH]

I am no expert, but no, not strutting/displaying

RobertH

 

[erinszoo]

That's not strutting. When a tom struts it blows itself up completely fluffing out all it's feathers, it's head colors up and it's snood grows long and covers it's head, it picks up it's feet and somewhat marches along slowly like on a fashion runway, and it will make this booming sound. You have a hen that's just defending her territory (or so she thinks). Our oldest hen is a lot less dramatic about it and will simply reach over and peck whoever is in her way on the head until it moves.

 

[aoxa]

That's not strutting. When a tom struts it blows itself up completely fluffing out all it's feathers, it's head colors up and it's snood grows long and covers it's head, it picks up it's feet and somewhat marches along slowly like on a fashion runway, and it will make this booming sound. You have a hen that's just defending her territory (or so she thinks). Our oldest hen is a lot less dramatic about it and will simply reach over and peck whoever is in her way on the head until it moves.

I would think there would be gobbling by now if a tom. Neither has grown much of a snood yet. I'm glad because I really thought they were both toms, and didn't really want to get enough hens to support two toms. I plan on getting another two (1 tom, 1 hen).