turkey behaviour

[ivan3]

MrsSmitho wrote: Is your male without spots?? Our's is. I know they can throw grey, black, or white, but I am curious if they can also throw mixed?

The two (now one) toms are probably `Self Blues' (no black, pretty washed out), the hen is a Splash. Though Steve might know better than I.

The two toms and a friend:

Here's a link with a pretty good explanation: http://www.natureofanimals.com/BlueSlateTurkeys.html

As far as the sexing of poults goes, we knew from their behavior, by their third week, who was what. The three that most frequently butted chests and tried to drag their little wings were sure enough the males. The more traditional method is to examine them (wait a few weeks and `things' will become clearer). I'm posting the link to chook male genitalia (much similarity) - gives one an `in the ballpark' comparator:

http://www.scielo.cl/pdf/ijmorphol/v25n4/art07.pdf

And, for something completely different, breeding a simple to sex (by feathers) strain from a featherless turkey:

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/1997/August97/turkeygene.htm​

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
I would have asked the guy to demonstrate.

They only way to really tell is by vent sexing but you have to know what you are looking for.

Steve in NC

 

[MrsSmitho]

Ahh, so true.

Good read ivan3, thank you!! We aren't as concerned on the new turkeys as we would like to figure it out for the chicks in the brooder. When we started this, we thought we would sell some for local folks because there isn't a place close to get chicks out of the Spring Fling all of the local farm & ranch places carry. We still will probably, but it isn't as much of a concern now...we are keeping and making pretty much just for us.

I do wish I knew for sure on these Burbons and the white turkeys we got from the f&r...if I thought there was a chance they weren't broad brested, I might keep a breeding pair...but time will tell on that also!

The slates are to keep for breeding. Even though we got them as teenagers, they are pretty mellow and very fun to watch!!

They were born Sept 08, so I know they are close, but not quite ready to do their thing!

I COMPLETELY understand what everybody is saying about falling in love with baby turkeys! They are so sweet and snugly!! I have a couple that cry and pace until I go over and pick them up...It is so sweet!! The chicks are no where near as sweet, but cute non the less.

 

[ivan3]

MrsSmitho wrote: we would like to figure it out for the chicks in the brooder.

Yes. I'd probably flip Cass's magnifying makeup mirror flat on the counter, pick up a poult in one hand, legs between my fingers, butt toward the mirror. Use the first and second fingers of my free hand to press down lightly on either side of the cloaca and look for any `magnified' eminences revealed (with some similarity in form to the examples in the photos on page 5 of the second link I listed above).

I would think, by checking all the poults this way, it would be possible to learn to make the call.
If you try and are successful take a lot of pics.

You might try waiting until they are being quiet and relaxed and whistle loudly, observe which ones immediately start peeping the loudest (could be the males).

I have a couple that cry and pace until I go over and pick them up

But when they sleep, they go deep. (the three males always slept on the floor of the cage, the two females were roosting on the second roost bar behind the light)

 

[RickiHupp]

Quote:
I might be way off base, but that sure looks like a royal palm tom to me..
did you send the wrong photo??

Nope that is a hen, our toms are mounting her all day long. I will get a picture of her "normal".



Here she is with the toms.

Its the only picture I have of her face

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I might be way off base, but that sure looks like a royal palm tom to me..
did you send the wrong photo??

Nope that is a hen, our toms are mounting her all day long. I will get a picture of her "normal".



Here she is with the toms.

Its the only picture I have of her face

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk15/rainbow122381/007-4.jpg

Tom

 

[MrsSmitho]

Ah, youe Slates are so pretty!!!!

On the sexing: the guy did demonstrate for DH, and DH tried it, he blew really hard, really quick. It is a little white (when babies) dickie that comes out....Yes, we tried it and IT WORKED!!! He is the "official" blow tester, I can wait till they are bigger

 

[RickiHupp]

Quote:
Nope that is a hen, our toms are mounting her all day long. I will get a picture of her "normal".



Here she is with the toms.

Its the only picture I have of her face

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk15/rainbow122381/007-4.jpg

Tom

Just curious, what makes you think she is a tom? Both of the slates mount her and do thier business. She is also making a nest inside of the coop. What about her looks like a tom????



**edit** oh yes and dont male turkeys have spurs or atleast spur bumps?

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
Tom

Just curious, what makes you think she is a tom? Both of the slates mount her and do thier business. She is also making a nest inside of the coop. What about her looks like a tom????



**edit** oh yes and dont male turkeys have spurs or atleast spur bumps?

I guess I am hung up on the strutting picture, yet..
I have never had a hen strutt..

turkeys would mount a rock pile if they thought there was even a snake in there..

subordinate birds will allow mounting

how old is the royal palm?? at about a year old he should get a black dot on his chest.. that will be the beginning of his beard.. hens do not get this..

also, if the turkey is 15 or more pounds,,,,,,,,,,,tom... yours looks that big to me..

then again, I could be totally wrong..

 

[chickenannie]

I've had RB hens sorta "strut" like that -- it's not the same as when the tom does it, but it looks like they're imitating him to the other hen to try to intimidate her. These are hens that have nested and hatched chicks so I'm 100% confident they are hens.