Content
- 1 Differences by which you can determine the sex of a turkey
- 1.1 Along the genital tubercle
- 1.2 Length of feathers in wings
- 1.3 Along the ridge
- 1.4 By behavior
- 1.5 By Spurs
- 1.6 According to "corals"
- 1.7 Along the tassel on the chest
- 1.8 Along the “earring” above the beak
- 1.9 By the gland in the neck
- 1.10 Turkey size
- 1.11 On the legs
- 1.12 Chest width
- 1.13 By the feathers on the tail
- 1.14 By litter volume
- 1.15 By the feathers on my head
- 1.16 By the feathers on my neck
- 1.17 By voice
- 2 Conclusion
Almost all novice farmers involved in breeding turkeys are wondering: how to distinguish a turkey from a turkey? The answer to this is extremely important, since the conditions for keeping and feeding turkeys vary depending on their sexual characteristics.
There are several methods to determine the sex of turkeys. Each method has its pros and cons. The main negative point is that none of the methods under consideration gives a 100% guarantee of accuracy in determining gender. It is possible to accurately determine the sex only by laboratory methods and in adult turkeys.
Differences by which you can determine the sex of a turkey
Along the genital tubercle
This method is called Japanese (ventsexing) - after the name of the country whose poultry farmers have determined a method for identifying the sex of newborn chicks by the size and shape of the genital tubercle.
If the procedure is carried out later, it will be more difficult to determine the gender, because...The signs that distinguish males from females begin to smooth out over time.
Advantage of the method: it allows you to determine the sex immediately after hatching (all other methods - after 2 months)
Minuses:
- possibility of injury to the turkey;
- the possibility of infection of the chick with bacteria from its intestines;
- requires some skill.
How to determine the sex of a turkey chick by its cloaca
- Help empty the chick's intestines.
- Holding the turkey chick over the ditch with one hand, lightly squeeze its abdomen and sides with the middle, thumb and index fingers of the same hand. Remains of droppings must be removed with a cotton or gauze swab.
- Properly hold the turkey poult during inspection. You should hold it with one hand: with your left if the person conducting the inspection is right-handed, with your right if you are left-handed. The chick should be upside down (the head is between the little finger and the ring finger). The legs need to be squeezed between the middle and index fingers, that is, the turkey needs to be turned out a little (see photo). It is important not to squeeze the chick too much.
- Properly open the cloaca. The genital tubercle of males is located in the lower part inside the cloaca; you can see it when it protrudes outward. To do this, you need to properly open the cloaca. This should be done with the thumb and index finger of the hand free from holding the turkey. Fingers should be placed along the edges of the anus. Stretch the cloaca slightly, then press inward and squeeze slightly with your fingers. The thumb of the holding hand can help the process.
- Determine gender. Males will have two genital tubercles, while turkeys will have one, not very pronounced.
Length of feathers in wings
Determination time: from the first day of life
In males, all the feathers of the outermost row of wings are the same length, in females they are different, but as they grow, they level out. That is why this method of sex detection only works at an early age of turkeys.
Along the ridge
Determination time: from 2 weeks
Turkeys have a bright, shiny crest, well defined when it is warm. Turkeys have a small and faded comb.
Method accuracy: 70%
By behavior
Determination time: from 1 month
Turkeys have a proud posture. They take a special pose and fan out their tail. When the male is excited or angry, his corals turn red and the appendage above his beak tenses. Females are more sociable and gather in flocks. They often behave more aggressively than turkeys.
By Spurs
Determination time: from 2 months
Males are characterized by the presence of horny processes on their paws - spurs. Turkeys need them for fighting. Spurs are sometimes found in females in rudimentary form.
In the photo there is a spur above the male’s finger
According to "corals"
Determination time: from 2 months
Males have “corals” on their head and neck - growths that can increase in size due to the presence of a large number of capillaries in them. “Corals” are secondary sexual characteristics; females do not have them.
The photo shows the difference between the male and female in the presence of “corals”:
Along the tassel on the chest
Determination time: from 13 weeks
Males have a hard brush of feathers on the chest (between the sternum and crop). The feathering on the chest of turkeys is rough and thick. In females, the tassel is also found, but much less frequently. The plumage on the chest of turkeys is softer and not as thick as that of males.
Look at the photo to see what the tassel on a turkey’s chest looks like:
Along the “earring” above the beak
Determination time: from 13 weeks
Turkeys of both sexes have projections above their beaks. In turkeys, this fleshy appendage is large, and during moments of excitement it can increase in length (up to 15 cm) and width. Turkeys have a barely noticeable rudiment above the beak.
By the gland in the neck
Determination time: from 5 months
The method is considered unscientific, but valid. The gland is present only in turkeys and is determined by palpation (to the touch it resembles a hairy wart).
Turkey size
Male turkeys look larger and stronger than female turkeys. Adult turkeys are much larger and heavier than turkeys.
On the legs
Turkeys have longer legs than female turkeys and larger feet.
Chest width
Males have wider chests than turkeys.
By the feathers on the tail
Turkeys have beautiful tails: with smooth, dense feathers. Females have a much simpler tail.
By litter volume
The method was proposed by American farmers. According to their observations, the droppings of females are more abundant than those of turkeys, and they fall in a heap. In males, the litter is denser and lies in the shape of the English letter “J”.
By the feathers on my head
Turkeys have a bald, red head, and turkeys have down. Females have smaller heads than turkeys.
By the feathers on my neck
The bare part of the neck of males is longer than that of females.
In the photo: black – male, light – female. It can be seen that the turkey's neck is more bare than that of the turkey.
By voice
Males, unlike females, “bubble.” There is also a popular way to identify a male by the sound of his voice: whistle loudly; if he answers, it means it’s a male.
Conclusion
Knowing the main features inherent in a certain sex of turkeys, you can quite easily identify the sex of even a newborn chick.
