Owners of modern farms often breed turkeys for sale. And this is not surprising. The weight of an adult bird can reach up to 35 kg. Tender turkey meat is popular all over the world due to its nutritional value and excellent taste.
The need to distinguish the sex of chicks
Caring for a turkey is more complicated than taking chickens and ducks, but you can get much more meat and eggs. To obtain the maximum number of products, birds should be provided with a complete diet, and importantly, compliance with sanitary standards. As a rule, fattening of a bird begins for slaughter from the first weeks of life.
The most valuable is the meat of turkeys of 5 months of age, at which time the feathery weighs 12 kg. Non-breeding males are sent to the slaughter, the identification of which is necessary at an early age. That is why the question of how to distinguish a turkey from a turkey is far from idle and is of great importance in poultry farming.
Ways of distinguishing
There are several methods for distinguishing sex in birds. And to distinguish a turkey from a turkey is easier than a rooster from a chicken. Experienced poultry farmers are able to identify a male turkey within a day after birth.
There are several basic signs for distinguishing sex:
- marks on feathers and their length;
- behavior;
- weight;
- scallop, spurs, beard;
- volume and consistency of excrement.
Turkey and turkey: differences at an early age
The very first sign that can be found is spurs and a beard. The method is used until the 3-month-old age of birds, because in six months the sex is already clearly visible. Sharp spurs are given to the male by nature, like many other bird species. The tool helps the turkey to protect themselves from enemies, as well as their chosen ones and chicks. Females do not have spurs; in their place, soft feathers of a small size are visible.
The beard in males is already visible at the age of one month, and their feathers are harder than in females.
The weight of the bird can also help in deciding how to distinguish between a turkey and a turkey. The method is relevant during the first weeks of the life of the chick. Females are smaller than males and gain weight less quickly. Turkeys are quickly recovering and by the age of four weeks have a fully developed body.
Scallop, feathers, tail
How to distinguish a turkey from a turkey on the crest? In females, it is smaller and has a pale shade. In males, the combs and barbs are bright.
The tail feathers of turkeys grow rapidly, and by the second month of life, the tail becomes fan-shaped. However, the feathers on the tail are longer in boys during the first weeks. With age, the tail of turkeys becomes like a real fan. The male fluffs it when danger approaches or during mating. The magnificent tail is a real decoration of a turkey. In females, he is elegant and small.
Feathers on the wings of turkeys - another natural feature that helps in determining the gender of the bird. The method can be used on the first day of the chick's life. In males, feathers have the same size, and in females they grow at an angle. A similar phenomenon has not yet been explained by scientists, but also helps in determining the sex of birds.
Using this method, poultry farmers select large males for breeding, and small ones are transferred to high-calorie feed. The disadvantage of this method is that it is relevant only in the first week of the life of the chick, and then the feathers will begin to grow actively and will become different in length.
Feathered behavior
The behavioral characteristics of males distinguish them from females. Some poultry farmers, observing the behavior of the chicks, can distinguish a turkey from a turkey.
Turkeys are prone to collectivism, communicate with representatives of their own species, and with other birds, hatch in a herd. However, females behave more aggressively, often become the initiators of fights, they can easily fly into a drake or rooster.
Sex determination by this method is possible only in a large group of birds, and among individuals of different ages. If the number of birds in the household is small, behavioral characteristics may not be so pronounced.
In a collective, males usually behave calmer than females; therefore, they are jailed for fattening. Turkeys are not inclined to go into a herd, walk on their own, show an unobtrusive interest in females.
During the period of sexual hunting, the latter begin to flirt with the males first. They coo, circle around the "chosen one", peck him in the nose. This behavior means that the turkey is ready for mating. At the same time, the turkey behaves much calmer and slower. Poultry farmers noticed that females do not care who to choose. Before starting mating dances, they take a long look at the males.
Once selected, the male abruptly changes his behavior. His nasal process swells. The turkey fluffs feathers and proudly approaches the female. Then he opens his beautiful tail with a fan, bubbles and makes it clear to the female that he is ready to mate.
How to distinguish a turkey from a turkey by genitals
Another way to determine the sex of birds is the structure of their genitals. The method works on the second or third month of the chick's life.
The turkey needs to be turned upside down, to breed feathers in the area of cloaca. At the same time, the bird is held behind the back.
With a hand in a rubber glove lubricated with petroleum jelly, the hole is stretched and the genitals are examined. In males, there are two round formations in the cesspool, in females, however, pale pink folds are visible, and their organs are elongated.
The method allows you to distinguish a turkey from a turkey with 100% certainty. But it should not be carried out in the first month of the life of the bird because of the risk of injury. Before starting the procedure, the beginning poultry breeder should consult with more experienced breeders or a veterinarian.
other methods
If the young growth has reached the age of 4-6 months, they should analyze:
- anatomical data;
- quantity and quality of litter;
- perception of ultrasound.
At 5 months of age, the mammary gland actively grows in males. This is what distinguishes a turkey from a turkey. How to determine the gender in this way? If you feel the body of a bird, you can find a seal in the neck, resembling a wart. This method allows you to "find" the males, because at this time the weight of the chicks is almost the same, and differences in appearance are not pronounced.
Females leave more litter by 8 weeks of age than males. Moreover, turkey feces are characterized by lower density. A similar idea of sex determination was proposed by American poultry farmers. The method is considered unconventional, but its accuracy is 100%.
An interesting way to distinguish a turkey from a turkey is ultrasound. It has been experimentally proved that males and females hear noises at different frequencies. Some frequencies scare the females, others - the males. If you observe birds, it will not be difficult to distinguish males from females. But it should be borne in mind that the use of such devices makes the bird nervous, so it is still advisable to use other options for determining sex.
Conclusion
So, now it becomes clear how to distinguish a turkey from a turkey. The photo presented in the article also shows the difference between heterosexual individuals.
In this process, the number of birds and their age matter. Which way to use, each owner decides independently. Experienced poultry farmers will completely determine the gender when they see the behavior of the bird. For beginner breeders, it makes sense to use the tips given in the article to clearly understand the difference between a turkey and a turkey. And as soon as clarity appears in the question posed, you can safely separate the males and transfer them to reinforced complementary foods.