Tom or female

[Bigtom Turkey]

Keep her as slim as possible.

 

[Porpie Pie]

Keep her as slim as possible.

OK. I have chickens and pekin ducks also so I keep a mix of layer pellets, duck pellets and scratch grain that they have 24/7 access to in the run and they free range during the day. I usually mix black oil sunflower seed and cracked corn starting September-ish im in Wisconsin. I've got some vitamin b complex I gave to my ducks when they were young to help with being bowlegged. Would that help any with turkeys? Sorry for all the questions I didn't expect to come home with a turkey

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

I just give my BB turkeys (they ones I plan on breeding) a small handful of feed daily and the rest they have to find.

 

[Porpie Pie]

How old is it?

I have no idea. 2 ppl said they think Tom but I'd like to know how to tell the difference so when I go back I can get one of a different sex

 

[JustBabyMargo]

I’m thinking female... with a wattle like that, you would think it would also have a large snood if it were a tom. With that thinking, it also doesn’t appear to have a beard, so I’m thinking female. How does it act?

 

[Porpie Pie]

It needs to be at least 3 months old to judge from pictures. It is better if it is 6 months old.

To judge from pictures, 3 different pictures are helpful. One full frontal photo. One full side view and one from behind and above that clearly shows the back of the neck and top of the head.

Toms will be bigger than hens. They will have heavier legs. Their caruncles will be bigger than those of a young hen.

A tom's snood will be able to swell and elongate well past the end of his beak. When it retracts, it can retract into a cone shape. His head will become completely bald except for a few hairs.

Hens will have a "mohawk" of feathers up the back of the neck and on top of their head.

It's just got a little bump of a snood. Has some feather all over its head not a Mohawk. It's legs do look kind if chunky. I wondered if turkeys get scaly leg mites like chickens can cause they're so chucky. Is it possible it's a young tom turkey?

 

[Porpie Pie]

I’m thinking female... with a wattle like that, you would think it would also have a large snood if it were a tom. With that thinking, it also doesn’t appear to have a beard, so I’m thinking female. How does it act?

It's very sweet and gentle. We've only had it a couple hrs but it just walks around so far probably investigating. Drops it's wings a lot.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Looks like a broad breasted hen.

 

[Porpie Pie]

It needs to be at least 3 months old to judge from pictures. It is better if it is 6 months old.

To judge from pictures, 3 different pictures are helpful. One full frontal photo. One full side view and one from behind and above that clearly shows the back of the neck and top of the head.

Toms will be bigger than hens. They will have heavier legs. Their caruncles will be bigger than those of a young hen.

A tom's snood will be able to swell and elongate well past the end of his beak. When it retracts, it can retract into a cone shape. His head will become completely bald except for a few hairs.

Hens will have a "mohawk" of feathers up the back of the neck and on top of their head.

Here are some pics of the 3 sides I hope they're good enough. Looking closer maybe there is a mohawk??

 

[Porpie Pie]

No corn or BOSS for her. Very limited scratch grains. Vitamin B complex is good for turkeys. It provides the niacin and thiamine that they need for healthy joints.

Sorry what is BOSS? I usually do 2 bags layer pellet 1 bag duck pellet and 1 bag scratch grain. I don't have to add in corn but I won't be able to stop her from getting what the cows and horses leave behind. She eats right from my hand so maybe I'll see if I can hand feed her some vitamin b in her food. Thanks for all your help I appreciate it!!