Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: How to determine the gender of a turkey from a distance
• Part 2 of 3: How to tell the gender of a turkey up close
• Part 3 of 3: How to Determine the Age of a Turkey
• Tips

In this case, as in any other, experience comes with practice, and over time it will not be difficult for you to distinguish a turkey from a turkey. There are several traits that will help distinguish between males and females, but some of them require very careful examination of the bird. Poults often lack some of the traits that adults have, which can cause some confusion. For this reason, it is a good idea to let the poults grow up a bit and then try to determine their gender.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: How to determine the gender of a turkey from a distance

1. 1 Compare the size. Male turkeys are larger than females. In the group of turkeys, males are noticeably larger than the fair sex, who are nearby.
   • Adult males usually weigh 7–11 kilograms, while females weigh only 4–5 kilograms.
   • It is difficult to judge the mass of a turkey from a distance, especially if it is walking alone or the group is moving over rough terrain. This method of sex determination by itself is ineffective, but it can help. considering other characteristics.
2. 2 Look at the beard. In adult males, a characteristic beard of thin long feathers grows on the chest. The female sex does not have such a beard.
   • A turkey's beard looks like hair, but it is actually made up of unique feathers that form a stiff bristle.
   • Bear in mind that 10–20% of females also have a similar beard, so this sex determination method may not always be accurate unless other traits are taken into account.
   • Don't confuse a beard with a comb or coral. The crest is a fleshy appendage at the top of the head, and the coral is a fleshy appendage above the bird's beak. Both sexes have these appendages, although the coral of an adult male is usually slightly larger than that of a female.
3. 3 Examine the top of your head. In females, the crown is covered with tiny feathers, which are completely absent in males.
   • In addition, the male's head changes color depending on the emotional state, especially during the mating season. The color changes from red to blue, which then turns to white, and this process sometimes takes a matter of seconds.
   • Note that the turkey's skin is usually gray-blue in color, and this can be seen through the small feathers on the head.
4. 4 Consider the overall color scheme. Male turkeys boast brightly colored feathers, while females are dull and nondescript in appearance.
   • If you look closely at the details, the feathers of the males shimmer with red, green, copper, bronze or golden tints. With these bright colored feathers, males attract females during the mating season, and the most spectacular of them usually enjoy the greatest success with the fair sex.
   • Females have brown or gray feathers, without overflow. The task of attracting individuals of the opposite sex in these representatives of the animal world lies with the males, so the females do not have a special need for bright colored plumage. What's more, the dull color helps them blend in with their surroundings, which ensures safety while hatching and guarding their nests.
5. 5 Look at the tail. Male turkeys often spread their tails in the form of a fan, while in females it is usually lowered and not so lush.
   • A loose tail is an act of superiority. Males usually put on this performance to attract a pair or in an attempt to scare off a potential threat.
6. 6 Pay attention to the spurs on the legs. Male turkeys have sharp spurs on their legs, which are visible from a medium distance, while females have smooth legs and this element is absent.
   • Spurs are used for defense and domination purposes. Males use them when they attack opponents and competitors during the mating season.
   • In addition to the presence or absence of spurs, the appearance of the legs in females and males is no different. Both some and others have four toes on each foot and the skin on the limbs is reddish-orange.
7. 7 Listen to the scream. Only male turkeys emit the well-known "kuldykan". Females cackle or squeal softly, but usually do not.
   • Like a loose tail, kuldokan is an act of superiority. The males will chill to scare predators or potential competitors.

Part 2 of 3: How to tell the gender of a turkey up close

1. 1 Examine the feathers on the chest. The tips of the lower feathers on the chest in males are framed with a black border, while in females they are white, brown or bronze.
   • When examining the chest feathers, pay attention only to the lower two-thirds of the chest.
   • Please note that this method is only accurate for determining the sex of adults. It will not work with turkey poults, since even in males, the color of the feathers may have signs of femininity.
2. 2 Measure your legs. In addition to the fact that the legs of males are larger, they are also longer than those of females.
   • Most males have legs 15 centimeters long, while females have only 11.5 centimeters.

Part 3 of 3: How to Determine the Age of a Turkey

1. 1 Measure your beard. The beard of an adult male turkey is longer than that of an immature male turkey, which has a beard length of 15 centimeters or less.
   • By the age of two, most turkeys boast beards between 23 and 25 centimeters. Turkeys with beards longer than 25 centimeters are usually over three years old, but in most cases they will not grow longer than 28 centimeters.
2. 2 Look at the wing feathers. Take a closer look at the tips of the feathers on the wings. The white stripes that adorn each feather reach the very tips in adult males, while they are not colored in the younger generation of males.
   • The tips of the feathers in adults are usually rounded, while in young ones they are pointed.
   • For an accurate result, spread your wing out to reveal any hidden feathers. The color and shape of other feathers is different on different parts of the body, and the hidden feathers on the wings will provide you with the most accurate data.
3. 3 Check the tail feathers. Spread the feathers on the tail of the turkey or wait for the moment when he does it of his own free will. In young animals, the central feathers are longer than the rest, while all feathers in adult males are the same length.
   • In both adults and juveniles, there is a strip along the tail, the color of which differs depending on the subspecies and, as a rule, does not reflect the difference in age.
   • Note that the tail feathers in adults are between 30.5 and 38 centimeters long, while the young ones have shorter feathers. The exact length of tail feathers in the younger generation differs depending on the exact age and overall growth rate of the bird.
4. 4 Take a look at the feathers on the breast. All young turkeys have tan-tipped feathers on the underside of the sternum, regardless of gender.
   • Note that the breast feathers are thinner in immature individuals and the tips are usually rounded, while in adults they are spatulate.
5. 5 Examine the spurs. Both young and adult turkeys have spurs on their legs, but in young ones they are more like hemp, as they are still in the process of development.
   • In immature males, the spur is less than 1.25 centimeters long.
   • At the age of two years, the length of spurs in adults reaches 2.2 centimeters, and at the age of three it already ranges from 2.2 to 2.5 centimeters. Spurs in males over four years old reach 2.5 centimeters or even longer.

Tips

• Formally, males are called "turkeys", and the female - "turkeys".
• In addition, there is an official name for the group of turkeys - "rafters", and it is applied to any group, regardless of whether it consists of representatives of one or both sexes.