Tom or hen?

[StephJShank]

I thought she was a hen but this week she started displaying when the roosters are around. She calls like the ladies, never a gobble. But now even her snood looks larger.

 

[cmobley]

Love those feathers

 

[StephJShank]

Love those feathers

Its a beautiful turkey, that's why I was hoping she was a she

 

[cmobley]

Hatching my first turkeys this morning I have 3 hatched and one zipping so far. 5 more eggs no sign of pip yet but today is hatch day these are just a tad early.

 

[StephJShank]

View attachment 2621513Hatching my first turkeys this morning I have 3 hatched and one zipping so far. 5 more eggs no sign of pip yet but today is hatch day these are just a tad early.

Turkeys are my favorite! Congrats on the hatch!

 

[Molpet]

Hen
Mine display at things they don't like. They do not like roos that flirt with them at all.

 

[R2elk]

I thought she was a hen but this week she started displaying when the roosters are around. She calls like the ladies, never a gobble. But now even her snood looks larger. View attachment 2621491View attachment 2621493

What is her age?

A tell tale sign of hens in dark feathered turkeys is the light colored lower edges of the breast feathers. They do have to be the adult feathers as both male and female juvenile feathers will have the light colored edges. An adult male with dark feathers will have dark or black lower edges on the breast feathers.

Hens can and do strut and their snoods can also become enlarged when aroused. A hen's snood will not expand beyond the end of her beak but a tom's snood will dangle inches below the end of his beak. It will also spread wide enough to cover his nares which is why they are constantly shaking it around so they can breathe.

If this turkey is 6 months or older, it is a hen.

 

[StephJShank]

What is her age?

A tell tale sign of hens in dark feathered turkeys is the light colored lower edges of the breast feathers. They do have to be the adult feathers as both male and female juvenile feathers will have the light colored edges. An adult male with dark feathers will have dark or black lower edges on the breast feathers.

Hens can and do strut and their snoods can also become enlarged when aroused. A hen's snood will not expand beyond the end of her beak but a tom's snood will dangle inches below the end of his beak. It will also spread wide enough to cover his nares which is why they are constantly shaking it around so they can breathe.

If this turkey is 6 months or older, it is a hen.

This turkey is 3 months old (hatch date 1/21)

 

[R2elk]

This turkey is 3 months old (hatch date 1/21)

Too young to guarantee.