Turkey Fights

[B2Bacres]

OK, so we are fairly new to Turkeys. We have a couple of broad breasted whites but they have not been an issue. Our heritage breeds on the other hand, are starting to be a bit aggressive toward each other. We have 11 heritage birds, Bought them at one day old from Porters Heritage. They are 15 weeks old now and growing great and good looking birds. However, this morning there were a few that have begun to fight. We have had enough animals on the farm to this point that we just let them work it out, its just part of it. My biggest concern is sexing the birds, what we eventually want is a breeding trio with one Tom. My issue is I don't know who is who at this point! You can see some size difference but that its. I guess Toms fighting would be normal? What about hens? They fight too? At what age will we really know who are Toms and who are Hens?

 

[rjohns39]

Post pics, head top-down, head side view and chest. There are folks out really good at Identifying sex of the birds. I'm still learning.

 

[B2Bacres]

Cool never thought to do that. I can do that this afternoon. Thanks!

 

[rjohns39]

Cool never thought to do that. I can do that this afternoon. Thanks!

Although hen's do fight, snood pulling is generally (not always) reserved for the Toms.

 

[R2elk]

OK, so we are fairly new to Turkeys. We have a couple of broad breasted whites but they have not been an issue. Our heritage breeds on the other hand, are starting to be a bit aggressive toward each other. We have 11 heritage birds, Bought them at one day old from Porters Heritage. They are 15 weeks old now and growing great and good looking birds. However, this morning there were a few that have begun to fight. We have had enough animals on the farm to this point that we just let them work it out, its just part of it. My biggest concern is sexing the birds, what we eventually want is a breeding trio with one Tom. My issue is I don't know who is who at this point! You can see some size difference but that its. I guess Toms fighting would be normal? What about hens? They fight too? At what age will we really know who are Toms and who are Hens?

All of the turkeys, male and female will go through their pecking order squabbles. Yours are old enough that if you know what to look for you should be able to sex them. They are nearing an age where they may be sexable from photos.

I recommend keeping 4 or 5 hens for one tom. Keeping 2 hens is better than keeping just one but more is even better.

Hens
"mohawk" of feathers up the back of the neck continuing on top of the head.
Smaller caruncles.
Horizontal "J" shaped snood only expands slightly.
Legs are thin and dainty.
If a dark colored turkey without patterned feathers, the mature breast feathers will have a light colored lower edge.
Normally have a smaller body and head than a tom.
Normally spread tail into a horizontal fan when running.

Toms
Bald head, no feathers but some fine hairs.
Large caruncles that swell and become bright red or blue but mostly red.
Snood can retract into a cone or expand to great lengths well past the end of the beak and wide enough to completely cover the beak.
Legs are thicker and heavier.
If a dark colored turkey without patterned feathers, the mature breast feathers will have a dark colored lower edge.
Normally have a larger body and bigger head.
Capable of very bright reds or blues in fleshy areas of head and neck when aroused.
Can but do not normally spread tail into horizontal fan when running. This habit greatly decreases with age.

Good luck.

 

[rjohns39]

All of the turkeys, male and female will go through their pecking order squabbles. Yours are old enough that if you know what to look for you should be able to sex them. They are nearing an age where they may be sexable from photos.

I recommend keeping 4 or 5 hens for one tom. Keeping 2 hens is better than keeping just one but more is even better.

Hens
"mohawk" of feathers up the back of the neck continuing on top of the head.
Smaller caruncles.
Horizontal "J" shaped snood only expands slightly.
Legs are thin and dainty.
If a dark colored turkey without patterned feathers, the mature breast feathers will have a light colored lower edge.
Normally have a smaller body and head than a tom.
Normally spread tail into a horizontal fan when running.

Toms
Bald head, no feathers but some fine hairs.
Large caruncles that swell and become bright red or blue but mostly red.
Snood can retract into a cone or expand to great lengths well past the end of the beak and wide enough to completely cover the beak.
Legs are thicker and heavier.
If a dark colored turkey without patterned feathers, the mature breast feathers will have a dark colored lower edge.
Normally have a larger body and bigger head.
Capable of very bright reds or blues in fleshy areas of head and neck when aroused.
Can but do not normally spread tail into horizontal fan when running. This habit greatly decrease with age.

Good luck.

I was hoping you'd drop in here...

 

[B2Bacres]

Wow! Tons of information there. Safe to say at this point i had no idea what to look for. When i get home i will take a look and hopefully get some good pics. They are all free ranging now but easily walk up to me for attention.

 

[B2Bacres]

OK getting good or telling pics was a lot harder that I thought but here is what I was able to get. I really am not certain anyone could tell by these but here goes

 

[R2elk]

OK getting good or telling pics was a lot harder that I thought but here is what I was able to get. I really am not certain anyone could tell by these but here goes

I assume that all three pictures are of the same bird which by the way is a tom.

 

[B2Bacres]

OK getting good or telling pics was a lot harder that I thought but here is what I was able to get. I really am not certain anyone could tell by these but here goes View attachment 1141144 View attachment 1141146 View attachment 1141147