Tom or Hen????

[SandyC]

I have three Royal Palms that are about 9 months old. Are these all hens or might I have a Tom in here?

Thanks!

 

[sandspoultry]

On the first pic the one on the bottom right looks like a tom, over all it's bigger plus wider across the back. Next time you catch them feel for the beard bump.

Steve

 

[SandyC]

Where is the beard bump located?

THanks!

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
On your top pic, the one closest to the door, see the line in the feathers going down the front? the beard bump will be right at the bottom of that line.

Steve

 

[SandyC]

Thank you so much. I'm going to go check when I go out egg hunting in a bit. It's in the single digits here today, so I'm not too eager to head out again too soon! I'll report what I find!

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

If they are nine months old, I'd say you have all hens.

 

[hooksetz]

Agree, they look like hens to me. Also it is not uncommon for a hen to have a small beard. But at 9 mos. the toms would stand out.

 

[Butterball]

I would say these are all hens. I have Royal Palms and love them. You should be hearing a gobble by now from your toms. I don't know how involved you are with your turkeys, but if you pet them and interact with them a lot do they then lay down in front of you? Hens will do this even with people when they are ready for mating, will soon be laying eggs, etc. Don't be fooled if they "fluff up" their feathers-hens do this too. Toms should also begin fluffing up/ strutting/gobbling more often sometime soon (ours are already and our hens started laying about 1 week ago) At 9 months you should be able to tell which are toms.

This link may help as well:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=87863&p=2

(notice these are only 3 months old-June hatch post was in Sept.- and there is already quite a difference)

Hope this was some help!

 

[jhm47]

I'd say all hens. If any were toms, they would be strutting, gobbling, and rumbling by now.

 

[SandyC]

Well...the hen people were right. :-( I was really hoping that there might be a Tom there. I picked them up, one by one and checked. No bump. My Spitzhaubens, who were really fascinated watching the whole thing, wanted to be picked up when I was done too...BABIES!!!!

Now where do I find a Tom? Do you think it's better to try and hatch one from a good breeder, or buy one from someone?