Sexed Turkeys?

[MillersFarm]

Hi all. I've been surfing around like a mad man trying to find a hatchery that sells sexed turkeys but it seems that theres no such thing... Am I just not looking hard enough? I've even tried looking on craigslist for some 'adult' turkeys but most are meat birds.. I'd love some heritage turkey hens for my half wild tom since we only have one hen for him right now.. Any suggestions would be appreciated greatly!

 

[R2elk]

Hi all. I've been surfing around like a mad man trying to find a hatchery that sells sexed turkeys but it seems that theres no such thing... Am I just not looking hard enough? I've even tried looking on craigslist for some 'adult' turkeys but most are meat birds.. I'd love some heritage turkey hens for my half wild tom since we only have one hen for him right now.. Any suggestions would be appreciated greatly!

I only know of one hatchery that sells sexed turkey poults but they are of the meat variety of turkeys. Your best bet is to keep an eye on your local craigslist or Facebook. Another place is to see if your local feed store can put you in touch with local turkey raisers.

 

[MillersFarm]

I only know of one hatchery that sells sexed turkey poults but they are of the meat variety of turkeys. Your best bet is to keep an eye on your local craigslist or Facebook. Another place is to see if your local feed store can put you in touch with local turkey raisers.

Thanks anyways. Found a trio of royal palm turkeys for $60. the only thing is that one of them is a tom and we don't really need any more toms right this moment and i think the owner doesn't really doesn't want his turkey eaten.. Guess i'll just keep an eye out like you said. Thanks again!

 

[sfgwife]

Thanks anyways. Found a trio of royal palm turkeys for $60. the only thing is that one of them is a tom and we don't really need any more toms right this moment and i think the owner doesn't really doesn't want his turkey eaten.. Guess i'll just keep an eye out like you said. Thanks again!

Most people do sell heritage birds as trios. It is kinda hard at least around here to find singlets or hens. Everyone seems to have toms.

 

[MillersFarm]

Most people do sell heritage birds as trios. It is kinda hard at least around here to find singlets or hens. Everyone seems to have toms.

Yeah. Just got back with the three royal palms but i'm thinking one is a tom so they didnt charge me for it.. Ended up bringing 4 guineas home as well..I kept telling myself i'd never get some but now.. All well I've also noticed that the one that we think is a tom doesn't have a beard yet his brother does.. Does that mean anything?

 

[R2elk]

Yeah. Just got back with the three royal palms but I'm thinking one is a tom so they didn't charge me for it.. Ended up bringing 4 guineas home as well..I kept telling myself I'd never get some but now.. All well I've also noticed that the one that we think is a tom doesn't have a beard yet his brother does.. Does that mean anything?

Post pictures. Just because a turkey has a beard does not automatically mean it is a tom. I currently have 3 bearded hens and 3 hens without beards.

It depends on how young a tom is if it is a tom. Not all toms develop at the same pace.

 

[MillersFarm]

Post pictures. Just because a turkey has a beard does not automatically mean it is a tom. I currently have 3 bearded hens and 3 hens without beards.

It depends on how young a tom is if it is a tom. Not all toms develop at the same pace.

They're 3 months old the lady said. I know i have one for sure hen. I'll try and get some pics up Asap

 

[R2elk]

They're 3 months old the lady said. I know i have one for sure hen. I'll try and get some pics up Asap

At 3 months, a tom may or may not have a visible beard but on close inspection the base of the beard could be hidden in its breast feathers.

 

[MillersFarm]

At 3 months, a tom may or may not have a visible beard but on close inspection the base of the beard could be hidden in its breast feathers.

Won't be able to post some pics tonight but i felt around his/her chest, Couldn't feel the base of the beard but i'll look once more just in case. Thank you so much for all the help.

 

[MillersFarm]

Here are a few pics of him compared to the hen. I've also noticed that when our tom turkey Bruce came up to inspect them that the hen and the mystery turkey didn't seem to care much but the for sure tom came right up to him sizing him up and tried to fight through the fence. Not sure if that meant anything just thought i'd put it out there.

Heres he/she is shaking his feathers

the one farthest from the fence

Head shot

one farthest fro the fence again