Turkey making a hissing/huffing noise when strutting...

[Mycookoonest]

Captain is either getting an attitude or trying to attract our hen Morgan.What does his hissing/huffing mean when he's strutting? Is it a sign of aggression or is he trying to attract Morgan for mating? He only does this when he's strutting.

 

[MandyH]

He's trying to look "purdy" for the ladies. They hiss and make a thumping noise and strut til they can't htis time of year in hopes of wooing them a lady friend.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

yep, It's part of their courtship display called spitting and druming.
If you watch him, he'll do a low pitched drum sound too.
And yes it can lead to aggression too at least toward other males.
Aubrey

 

[Mycookoonest]

OMG he does this to me... does that mean he's courting me? How hilarious is that?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

sound like he LOVES YOU!

Aubrey

 

[MandyH]

Mine did this to me too last year and then he got MEAN as a yard dog on me. I had to start fighting him off with the feed bucket and everything, I finally had to sell him because I have a three year old and the day he flew up to spur me, I knew if he did that to her, he would hurt her bad. So keep an eye ou just in case.

 

[sandspoultry]

When he is strutting and drumming pick him up and you can feel the air sack on his chest.

Steve in NC