Turkey genders

[R2elk]

Okay, thank you.

The other red bourbon one still looks the same and still has feathers on it’s head.

Different varieties may mature at different rates.

 

[Andersonflora]

We have a pair of Spanish blacks that are 19wks old - 17wks of wondering and literally still have no idea (despite my husband’s insistence he is) if the one whose displaying is a Tom. His snood was ripped off somehow very early on so we can’t tell based on that. The other one I think is female seems bigger and taller. Neither have pronounced beards but maybe that could develop later and with either gender? They both have gorgeous iridescent coloring of their black feathers. The ‘Tom’s’ head seems slightly boxier and angrier looking and he is extremely aggressive towards our Leghorn rooster if they are put together. Please let me know what y’all think. We’re all about breeding and raising heritage turkeys and hope these are a breeding pair we can expand our flock from/with. Been a regular reader of this forum, first time posting.

 

[R2elk]

We have a pair of Spanish blacks that are 19wks old - 17wks of wondering and literally still have no idea (despite my husband’s insistence he is) if the one whose displaying is a Tom. His snood was ripped off somehow very early on so we can’t tell based on that. The other one I think is female seems bigger and taller. Neither have pronounced beards but maybe that could develop later and with either gender? They both have gorgeous iridescent coloring of their black feathers. The ‘Tom’s’ head seems slightly boxier and angrier looking and he is extremely aggressive towards our Leghorn rooster if they are put together. Please let me know what y’all think. We’re all about breeding and raising heritage turkeys and hope these are a breeding pair we can expand our flock from/with. Been a regular reader of this forum, first time posting.View attachment 2447948View attachment 2447977

Both are hens.

 

[Andersonflora]

Both are hens.

Thank you. Would you mind telling me how you figured that from the one that’s displaying? I know my husband is going to have questions. He’s convinced that bird is a Tom.

 

[R2elk]

Thank you. Would you mind telling me how you figured that from the one that’s displaying? I know my husband is going to have questions. He’s convinced that bird is a Tom.

Look at the breast feathers and notice the light colored lower edges. A tom's breast feathers will have dark lower edges. The hen has a strip of feathers up the back of her neck continuing on to the top of her head. A tom at that age will have a bald head with a few hairs and no feathers on it. A tom at that age would have a beard that could be as much as 1 1/2" long.

 

[PurpleCArTires]

Look at the breast feathers and notice the light colored lower edges. A tom's breast feathers will have dark lower edges. The hen has a strip of feathers up the back of her neck continuing on to the top of her head. A tom at that age will have a bald head with a few hairs and no feathers on it. A tom at that age would have a beard that could be as much as 1 1/2" long.

Thats so curious! I just got 10 bronze turkeys. I thought they were all ladies until i let them in the yard and 3 of them started displaying and gobbling. They all look the same, but the 3 that displayed are a little larger and have a little more waddle on them. I have no idea their age. I was thinking the 3 that displayed might be boys. They are heavy too, maybe 15-20 lbs. But they dont have much of a snood and their necks arent very wrinkly.