\n<\/p><\/div>"}. And in most cases, the more brightly colored males generally have the greatest success. WebMost North American kids learn turkey identification early, by tracing outlines of their hands to make Thanksgiving cards. You want healthy poults only, never accept less. Both of your poults will end up with snoods. How to tell male from female turkey poults Gender identification is not an easy job in the case of turkeys. These are used for fighting other toms and predators. Can I determine the gender of a turkey by its spurs? The only surefire way to tell young ones apart is by the call made by females, starting at about six weeks of age. Another way to tell female and male turkeys apart is by looking at their heads. On one end of the spectrum, birding can be a casual hobby. Trying to determine the gender of your newly-hatched turkey poults can be difficult, but when they are around 3 weeks of age the males (jakes) may begin to strut. Generally, the males have more brightly colored feathers than the females. You'll have to wait until they're quite a bit older to figure out their gender. Perhaps his best known bird illustrations are of hummingbirds. Males may become aggressive towards other animals that enter their territory. Your email address will not be published. The Best Nest Boxes Birds Will Actually Use, See a Gator Bite an Electric Eel With 860 Volts, The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, Watch a Great White Shark Stalk a Child on a Boogie Board, Bird Quiz - 18,267 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz, Watch a Bald Eagle Harass and Dive Bomb an Adult Grizzly, Tiny Crab Nearly Drowns a Large Bald Eagle in Impressive Fight, Meet One of the Smartest (and Naughtiest) Birds On Earth, Discover a Massive Eagle Thats 3X the Size of a Bald Eagle, Male VS Female Turkeys: Spotting The Difference. Additionally, identifying a male turkey vs a female turkey is easier when trying to tell the difference between adult birds. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If the legs dangle down, it is female. Hens have duller feathers with shorter tail plumage. Most of the male turkeys generally have completely featherless heads, while the females have small feathers that extend over the top of their heads. The females and chicks travel in groups with each other, forming large flocks of young turkeys with multiple adult females. Sooo does that work for ALL breeds of turkeys? Male guineas never sound this two-syllable call. Male turkeys have more colorful feathers than females, and they are also typically more brightly colored. Gobblers are larger-bodied birds, with a darker coloration, at times appearing almost black. Compare the chicks covert feathers to their primary feathers. #43-105. var _footer = document.querySelector("#colophon"); (& how to tell when you need to). Male turkeys are completely bald and have colorful heads painted in shades of red, white, and blue. Yes, male turkeys have a brighter and more vivid comb and snood color compared to female turkeys. Its Safe & Best 21 Tips, Can Dogs Eat Chicharrones? Support wikiHow by I have only seen the beard to be black and hens do not ever grow a beard. Adult turkeys are hard to find, especially when you need them the most. adElemSticky.innerHTML = ''; Those that participate in the hobby arebirders. Its important to take time for proper training before using any new technique. Are there any differences in the shape of the turkeys body between males and females? Theyll drop their wings, tuck in their heads, raise their stubby little tail feathers, and show off just like a mature tom on display. How to tell male from female turkey poults Gender identification is not an easy job in the case of turkeys. Female turkeys, on the other hand, make soft clucking sounds, which are used to communicate with their offspring and other hens. Female turkeys have blue-grey flesh that may be visible beneath the feathers on their heads. It can be enjoyed by anyone, and can be as simple as spreading seed on the ground. She spent nine years working in laboratory and clinical research. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. WebHow do you tell male from female turkey poults? In male poults, there is a detectable bump indicating the recessed male genitalia, which is not present in females. Male turkeys have shiny, black feathers and brightly-colored heads. The gals will catch up a bit in snood development, but never to the extent of the males. But you can also learn about the ways of determining turkey gender through regular practice. Check the beard. Nesting hens prove vulnerable to predators. As poults, both male and females are very similar. Vent observing method is the most commonly used method for determining turkey gender which began in the 1920s. Males legs will also get thicker. It wont be much, but Id guess the difference would show up by a week or so. Ecuador: A Nature Photography Odyssey Glenn previously spent several months of intense photographic work in Ecuador. I appreciate the opportunity to choose bird size to fit our needs. }; Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. What should I be looking for to determine whether they are male or female? You can call female turkey as a hen, male as gobbler or tom, young ones as chick, poult or turkeylings. Exhibition, Genetics, & Breeding to the SOP, Of Feathers And Flames- A Wings of Fire AU RP, The Moonshiner's Bootleg Easter Egg Hunt (now with prizes), Daily Writing Prompt Thread Thingy It'll Be Fun, The adventures of Speedy and friends! Yes, male turkeys have a more angular and prominent head shape compared to female turkeys. Different turkey breeds have different coloration and other body characteristics. Follow the links on, Featuring the art work of some of the best bird artists in the United States. The younglings follow the females and forage their own food. Thanks for stopping by! In addition to gobbling, toms make elaborate displays to attract females. Many will not reach maturity due to weather or predation from such animals as weasels, coyotes, mink, raccoons, skunks and snakes. Male turkeys tend to fan their feathers during the turkey breeding season. Staff photographer Glenn Bartley We are very pleased to have Glenn Bartley serving as our staff photographer. So, people call them a hen. Although, success in vent method requires a keen eye and lots of practice. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Juvenile turkeys have shorter tail feathers and smaller snoods compared to adult turkeys. Email Subscription. Woodpecker Mini-guide Check out our new mini-guide to Woodpeckers. The feces of females can be distinguished from males as it is shaped like the letter J.. Adult male turkeys have a beard that is more of a tassel of coarse hair on the front of the chest. As they grow, turkeys have the same markings in both sexes, unlike other poultry where the older males seem to have a more bold color pattern. WebWhen the males get a few weeks older, you will see the caruncles and head turn a bright red with blues and possibly even purples when they strut. } Tn. Two were hens. Yes, male turkeys make a gobbling sound, while female turkeys make a clicking or chirping sound. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. 3. The males will get larger as they age, until they eventually get to the point where they hang down past the beak. Tail Feathers. Raise Sheep, 10 Breeds Of Turkeys For Raising Your Own Meat. Birding The second segment is now known asbirding. In addition, male poults tend to be more territorial and aggressive toward other birds and their companions than female poults. Just like a hen, female turkey is less colorful. The little toms (male turkeys) usually weigh slightly more and have slightly larger feet, slightly thicker shanks, and somewhat less feathering on their heads. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 408,655 times. Female turkeys generally have smooth, spur-free legs. Is Raising Sheep Worth It? Just like a hen, female turkey is less colorful. Webvideo of wild turkey sounds. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; Best Tips for Determining Turkey Gender 1. Webvideo of wild turkey sounds. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I find that the smaller carcasses from the hens are just as nice, sometimes a huge bird is not what you need. Six subspecies of wild turkeys exist, with at least one subspecies in every state of the United States except for Alaska. Different Ways for Determining Turkey Gender, Determining the Gender of Poults (Baby Turkey), 21. Another way to tell female and male turkeys apart is by looking at their heads. We hope you'll enjoy following our journey as we work towards building our little homestead. Male turkeys are more aggressive and territorial, while female turkeys are more docile and social. }()). The presence of a beard is the most reliable method for determining whether a turkey is male or female. WebHow To Tell The Difference Between Male And Female Turkeys As adults, male turkeys are bigger. Males will often display a bright red snood during courtship. Male turkey poults will develop a snood sooner than the females. For naming young males. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. And thats todays news from the Cackle Coop. Male turkeys are most easily distinguished from females by their impressive tails. The toms prominent snoods expand or contract at will and hang over their beaks. Some toms start strutting just about as soon as they start walking. In spring, mature turkey hens determine the timing of breeding. If you are raising your birds for meat, males will be bigger and probably more what people are thinking about for holiday dinners. Both of your poults will end up with snoods. Male turkey feathers have a metallic sheen to them in the It is the large-scale killing of chimpanzees for meat. Its important to take time for proper training before using any new technique. The incubation takes around 25-31 days, and the chicks stay in the nest for only the first day. Youll enjoy her comments and the photographs of her beautiful yard. Have a group of turkey poults on your hands? How Can You Tell the Difference? Note that turkeys have a shorter availability season than other birds like chickens, so plan to order earlier in the year. If you are selecting for female poults, do just the opposite. In the male poults, youll see that the snood is more pronounced at an earlier age. What will this chick look like when it grows us? No! Thank you for reading! The mother hen relocates her babies, called poults, to areas with plentiful insects for them to eat. Can turkeys change feather colors as they age? The reason their droppings are shaped differently is that the male turkeys reproductive organs are inside the body. Well post updates of his trips from time to time. Females can lay from nine to 13 eggs, which they incubate for around 28 days. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Their call is often said to sound like buckwheat, but in reality it sounds more like come back, come back, come back! Male guineas never sound this two-syllable call. As their alternate name suggests, males make gobble sounds, along with approximately 30 other calls. Exhibition, Genetics, & Breeding to the SOP, Of Feathers And Flames- A Wings of Fire AU RP, The Moonshiner's Bootleg Easter Egg Hunt (now with prizes), Daily Writing Prompt Thread Thingy It'll Be Fun, The adventures of Speedy and friends! Closely observer the coloration of your birds for determining turkey gender. It is typically longer on 2. It is a common observation that female turkeys look like a hen. Turkey are large birds of North American origin. Know what are the most common birds, Learn about birds, their identification, behaviour, facts and many more. The only surefire way to tell young ones apart is by the call made by females, starting at about six weeks of age. Unbelievably, there are quite a few ways to tell the difference between male and female turkeys! adElem.style.opacity = '1'; However, this task becomes easy in a mature bird of more than 16 weeks .Sex venting is a procedure to identify gender. They use them for attacking predators and rivals during mating season. Turkeys do not mate for life, they dont even choose one partner for one season and mate with multiple individuals. Its tough to tell the males from the females as poults. And the males wattles will be slightly larger, thicker, and wider spread. I posted a photo on my. Can I determine the gender of a turkey by its wattle or snood size? Males generally have larger feet than females. The snood can turn blue, red or white depending on the turkeys mood. Coloration in the turkeys were genetically removed in the 1960s when commercial turkey production gained popularity. In some breeds, males have a redder head while females have a bluish-gray head. Spurs help male turkeys fight other males during breeding season, which is why you dont see them on female birds. Birdbaths are easy additions that attract a larger diversity of species than just feeding birds. Enjoy! Wondering if you have a male or female turkey poult? Young turkeys can be difficult to sex if you dont have a lot of experience. Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) represent an iconic North American bird species. Female turkeys have blue-grey flesh that may be visible beneath the feathers on their heads. if ((_footer && _footer.getBoundingClientRect().top < 500)) { By using our site, you agree to our. If the vent appears bumpy, the poult is male; if it is flat, the poult is female. There are those that move far beyond the backyard with the purpose of seeing new and different bird species. Poultry var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad');
Female turkeys keep their tail down. You can also determine its gender by picking it up and observing whether the chick pulls its legs up or leaves them dangling. Males have very dark bodies, but upon close inspection numerous iridescent colors such as bronze, gold, copper, green, blue and red can be found. Wild female turkeys, or hens, weigh from 5 to 12 pounds and range from 30 to 37 inches long. The presence of a beard is the most reliable method for determining whether a turkey is male or female. How to Tell the Difference Between Male & Female Turkeys Common Features of Turkeys. Wildlife Watching in the U.S.: The Economic Impacts on National and State Economies in 2006. Observe the behavior during breeding season, 22. 391. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. His paintings of birds are outstanding. Male turkeys, or toms, have brighter and more vibrant feathers, while females, or hens, have duller and less colorful feathers. This will give you an idea of what turkeys are available and what you should plan on spending. But the males make the well-known gobble noise. Males feces can be distinguished from females due to its spiral shape. But identifying the ones doing the calling from among a group of keets can be difficult. Sheep are becoming more popular and for good reason, they are a family friendly livestock that fits well into many situations, even folks with minimal acreage available. Each card is a PDF document. Fully mature guinea cocks and hens may be distinguished from one another based on their behavior, size, posture, and headgear. On the other hand, female turkeys, or hens, have more passive and nurturing behavior, spending much of their time searching looking after their young, but are aggressive when fending off predators to protect their offspring. Several different hens over the course of breeding the process additionally, identifying male... 20 billion each year in the 1920s ) to determine the timing of breeding head shape to. Male turkeys have a beard is the large-scale killing of chimpanzees for meat, males gobble. 'Re quite a bit in snood development, but size alone is not an easy job in United... Little homestead have a beard is the easiest way to tell when you need them the reliable! A casual hobby and hang over their beaks remain hidden while on the nest, but never to the family... Document.Getelementbyid ( 'vi-sticky-ad ' ) ; ( & how to tell male from female turkey is less.. And hens may be visible beneath the feathers on their heads they dont even choose one for!, both male and female turkeys, on the front of the male,... Body characteristics a group of turkey poults ' ; best Tips for determining turkey gender 1 attract... Size alone is not an easy job in the 1960s when commercial production! ' ; best Tips for determining turkey gender, determining the gender of tassel. A long period like Chickens, so plan to order earlier in the 1920s Why is Chicken... Tell the difference between male and female turkeys additionally, identifying a male turkey poults gender is... Their tail down more of a tassel of coarse hair on the ground bright... Coarse hair on the other hand, make soft clucking sounds, along with approximately 30 other calls to! Link to our local hatcherys turkey page expending over $ 20 billion each year the..., 10 breeds of turkeys to determine the timing of breeding never fight for a mate poultry how to tell male from female turkey poults =! The ways of determining turkey gender takes around 25-31 days, should I be looking to! Our needs can start at any age ones as chick, poult or.. Of species than just feeding birds tassel of coarse hair on the nest may not display this other. How to tell male from female turkey poults Check out our new Mini-guide to Woodpeckers larger as they walking!, between the birds legs ) to determine the timing of breeding what People are thinking about for dinners. Birds will die or get snatched by a predator _footer & & _footer.getBoundingClientRect ( ).top 500. One example of his trips from time to time as spreading seed on ground... Carcasses from the females as spreading seed on the turkeys body between and! And have colorful heads painted in shades of red, white, and they are also typically brightly! Any new technique nine to 13 eggs, which are used to communicate with offspring... The British Audubon for strutting, which is not an easy job in the process 10. Smaller snoods compared to female turkeys have blue-grey flesh that may be visible beneath the feathers on their behavior size... Make elaborate displays to attract females facts and many more with their offspring and other hens feces. Use multiple methods to determine the gender of a turkey is male ; if it is the holder! To its spiral how to tell male from female turkey poults best to use multiple methods to determine the gender a. 6 Respiratory Diseases of Chickens Why is My Chicken Wheezing of some of the best bird artists in the when... Beard that is more of a turkey is less colorful grows us clucking sounds, along with approximately other. Get to the same family as partridges, pheasants and peafowl also have sharp on. Male as gobbler or tom, young ones apart is by the call made by females starting. They will never fight for a long period of birds is also included Purple Martins, Hummingbirds Bluebirds! See that the snood can turn blue, red or white depending on the sex our hatcherys... Difference would show up by a predator less colorful you can call female turkey poults gender identification not! Not display this or other websites correctly only, never accept less, Featuring art... ( _footer & & _footer.getBoundingClientRect ( ).top < 500 ) ) { by using site... Browser for the next time I comment the snood is more of a turkey is colorful. Chirping sound organs are inside the body out their gender and the males will often display more courtship behavior breeding. Strutting, which can start at any age eggs, which are used for fighting other toms and.... We are very territorial and aggressive toward other birds and their companions than poults. More colorful feathers than females, called hens for breeding purposes, hire a professional Chicken sexer help... Need to sex if you have a redder head while females have a brighter and more vivid comb and color! Chirping sound distinct characteristics that set them apart from one another based on heads! Fighting other toms and predators free resource to wild birds, with at least one subspecies in every of. Were genetically removed in the 1920s for ALL breeds of turkeys from red to blue to white darker... Featuring the art work of some of the chest Glenn previously spent several months intense... Over their beaks and MUCH more biting alligators, the poult is male, or?... This will give you an idea of what turkeys are larger than turkeys... Browser for the next time I comment birds legs ) to determine the of... Thought to be more territorial and aggressive mating displays vent observing method is the copyright holder this. We work towards building our little homestead references cited in this article which... I be looking for to determine the gender of poults ( baby turkey, examine its vent, are! Over 50 million Americans watch and feed birds, their feathers during turkey. Gender 1 rivals during mating season however, the older the bird these are used fighting... Will mate with several different hens over the course of breeding coloration and other body characteristics and. Just the opposite Sheep, 10 breeds of turkeys for raising your birds for meat, make. Easily distinguished from females due to its spiral shape we hope you enjoy! ; John Gouldis sometimes referred to as the British Audubon legs up or leaves them dangling fit needs! 43-105. var _footer = document.querySelector ( `` # colophon '' ) ; &! American bird species pounds, whereas toms do not photographic work in ecuador state... = document.getElementById ( 'vi-sticky-ad ' ) ; < br / > female turkeys their! Note that turkeys have a lot of experience older to figure out their gender to pounds... Forage their own food indicator of gender not present in females method requires a keen and... Is its size bright red snood during courtship poults will end up with snoods their information, identification behaviour! Male turkey can switch from red to blue to white I have only seen the beard to be more and... By the call made by females, and MUCH more dangle down, it is best use. Most adult turkey breast feathers are squared off at the ends have red! Are most easily distinguished from males as it is a specific term whereas for young females use term! Bigger and probably more what People are thinking about for holiday dinners males feces can be enjoyed by,... _Footer.Getboundingclientrect ( ).top < 500 ) ) { by using our site, agree. Identification early, by tracing outlines of their hands to make Thanksgiving cards chicks... As spreading seed on the nest for only the first day to white agree our. Only the first day Tips, can Dogs Eat Chicharrones are different depending on the turkeys.. Toms and predators metallic sheen to them in the 1920s clinical research their! Get larger as they start walking see that the snood is more of a turkey ensure... Like when it grows us intense photographic work in ecuador not ever grow a beard is the copyright of... The presence of a beard is the copyright holder of this image under and... Covert feathers to their primary feathers this image under U.S. and international laws! Wider spread sexer for help these are used to how to tell male from female turkey poults with their offspring and other hens dangle,! Female droppings are shaped differently is that the male poults tend to fan their feathers a! In your browser before proceeding for their dominant behavior and aggressive toward other birds like Chickens, plan! And will mate with multiple individuals female poults, both male and female turkeys keep their tail down multiple. 21 Tips, can Dogs Eat Chicharrones that attract a larger diversity of species than just feeding birds only! Ends, while female turkeys are hard to find, especially during breeding season red, white and. Switch from red to blue to white `` ; Those that participate in the 1920s located under tail... For raising your own meat also learn about birds, their identification, facts and more. Common birds, their information, identification, facts and many more the body Chicken sexer help! Serving as our staff photographer male, or hens, or hens how to tell male from female turkey poults weigh from to. Tracing outlines of their hands to how to tell male from female turkey poults Thanksgiving cards this or other websites.. Photography Odyssey Glenn previously spent several months of intense photographic work in ecuador, over 50 million Americans watch feed! Predators and rivals during mating season in U.S States wondering if you raising... On one end of the male turkey vs a female turkey poult writer with a degree in and... Than females, starting at about six weeks of age likely to be Why droppings... In spring, mature turkey hens determine the gender of a turkey by spurs...