Let's talk about them turkeys!

[Gloria]

Okay, the beard is "wirey black stuff" on his chest. I have probably a dumb question then, what is the flappy thing under his beak at the throat and the little "bubble thingy's" under that, that goes from red to pink to white? I thought that was the beard.

The snood (I got what that one is) retracts? Didn't know that. Also, what is a dewlap?

Sorry I am new to turkeys. I have two BR's that are 15 weeks old now.

Thanks Zahboo for coming up with this thread! It should help alot.


Edited because I can't spell today. lol

 

[Zahboo]

I didn't know it retracted either until I watched his do it! It creeped me out

http://dogbreedinfo.com/pets/turkeyphotos3.htm

The link shows pictures of a turkey's snoob retracting or whatever


Umm the dewlap is the wattle things. It's actually the major carnucles (don't quote spelling

) I'm not sure what the little lumps are, I'm curious also. I was planning on getting turkeys, was doing half crap research then found the pair for really cheap and took the bait

Needless to say I wasn't really ready.




How much space do they need? I think it's 10 sq foot each? They are in an 8x8 right now, how long will they be content?

 

[Zahboo]

I hope this helps somebody, I got it off a website, soooo


Turkey Terms
Caruncle - brightly colored growths on the throat region. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship.

Gizzard - a part of a bird's stomach that contains tiny stones. It helps them grind up food for digestion.

Hen - a female turkey.

Poult - a baby turkey. A chick.

Snood - the flap of skin that hangs over the turkey's beak. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship.

Tom - a male turkey. Also known as a gobbler.

Wattle - the flap of skin under the turkey's chin. Turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship.

Scientific genus and species: Meleagris gallopavo




Another helpful link http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2005/nov/skillbuilder/

 

[Gloria]

Thanks for all the great information and the links. It has helped alot.

I think I read also 10 sq feet per bird. Don't quote me on that though. lol

So the flappy thing under the chin (beak) is the wattle or dewlap, right? They mean the same thing then?

I'll have to tell my grandkids that Nanna was wrong. I told them it was their beard. lol

The beard is like hair growing from the middle of the chest then? Does the female get a beard too?

I believe I have a male and a female at this point.

Thanks again Zahboo!!

 

[Gloria]

Maybe you should have named this thread "Turkey 101".

 

[Zahboo]

I am getting pictures tagged with stuff that I know. I THINK some females CAN have beards, but it's a male thing mostly. Do you have pictures, please feel free to post them here if you do!
Quote:

 

[Zahboo]

I think this one will work

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Yes the hens can have beards as well. For some reason it's more common and larger on the white feathered varieties.

Steve

 

[Gloria]

Quote:
So a Bourbon Red hen will probably have a beard too?

Zahboo, that's a really good pic of your toms beard. I couldn't see it as well in the other pics.

Going to take new pics of my BR now...

 

[Zahboo]

Steve, Thank you, you're a life saver