Sexing Bourbon Reds

[wjallen05]

I have 5 Bourbon Reds that are about 4-5 weeks old now. I've read that you can sex them by the color of their feather tips on their chest. I never could find at what age you can tell. Right now it looks like all females by the white color, but none of them have feathering on their necks... so now I am confused and worried. Is it too soon to tell?

Here's a pic of them from yesterday....

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

They will need to be feathered out to tell. I would say around 3 months old or so they should be all their and usually can tell 100% by then.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Once they loose the fuzz you can tell more clearly. Since you have a group of them side by side look for differences. The toms will have thicker legs, the snood bump will be bigger. Do you have any other birds about that size? The reason I ask is if you put another bird in on the turkeys home "turf" the young toms will strut and hold it. the hens can strut but they won't hold it as long.

Steve in NC

 

[wjallen05]

When I clean their pin, I notice that two of them poof up and "yell" at me the whole time, they just get real upset. The other 3 sort of huddle together in the corner. Was wondering if I had 3 females and 2 males. I hope so... that would be perfect!

Thanks for the response!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
That is very possible, the toms will try to protect the hens and come forward. the hens will hang back. Are the 2 bigger than others? The more you watch them you can see the difference in how they act.

Steve