Question for the turkey 'people'.

[auntpa-k]

Hi,

A very stupid question. Can a female turkey turn to look like a male? I have 2 royal palm hens. I hatched them over a year ago. They both have been laying eggs. And at one time, both has gone broody. So I definitely know they're both female. But today I noticed one of them has started growing that little black beard, on their breast, that you usually see in males. I have seen chickens do this. Turn to look like a rooster, even start crowing. These are my first turkeys and I'm still learning about them.

So, is my turkey hen 'turning' into the Tom? Should I start calling her Lou instead of Louise?

Thanks,
A really stupid turkey 'person',
Paula

 

[Whittni]

You aren't stupid, you're learning. I think only the males get those beards.

 

[Cole D]

I have a rio grande hen that has a beard, she got while growing up. She acts like a hen, but she has that beard. I don't know if yor situation will be different because I have a Tom and you don't.

 

[Cole D]

I have a rio grande hen that has a beard, she got while growing up. She acts like a hen, but she has that beard. I don't know if yor situation will be different because I have a Tom and you don't.

 

[kuntrygirl]

There are no stupid questions here. And the answer to your great question is that YES, a hen can have a small beard. My hens have beards but the beards are not as long as the males. They are about 1 inch long.

If you would like to post a pic of the turkey in question, please do so so that we can look at it to determine tom or hen.

 

[youngfarmer2016]

I have 4 turkey 3 blue slate about 9 weeks old and a narranganset mix which is about 6 weeks and i cant tell if they are males or female can you help?

The first pic is of the narranganset mix
And the rest are the three blue slates.

Theres the two blue slates and then heres the other.