Every new farmer should know the difference between a turkey and a turkey. Birds of different sexes have different characters and behavior patterns. When keeping them, it is recommended to take into account special nuances when breeding and preparing the diet. Like many birds, turkeys do not have primary sexual characteristics. Therefore, gender can be determined solely by appearance and habits.
What is the difference between turkey and turkey
To identify the sex of a bird, it is recommended to take into account the character, appearance, and habits. The main differences between a turkey and a turkey are their large size and impressive weight.Females weigh much less than males. However, it is worth considering that this feature does not always work. Some breeds are characterized by the same size of females and males. In such situations, other methods must be used.
Methods for distinguishing sex in turkeys
To determine the sex of birds, it is recommended to take into account many features - first of all, appearance and behavior.
By external signs
Determining the sex of birds will not be difficult even for inexperienced farmers. Many people believe that it is much easier to focus on size differences, since males are much larger than females. But this rule does not always work.
The main sign of a male is the presence of a special growth above the beak. It is called coral. This is a process that has a crimson hue. It hangs from the beak. With increased emotional arousal, the process increases to 15 centimeters in length. The feathers of birds are also significantly different. Males have a tuft of thread-like feathers on the chest and spurs. At the same time, a characteristic feature of turkeys is the almost complete absence of feathers on the head.
The comb also differs based on gender. Males have a bright red crest, while females are paler and smaller. Another parameter for determining gender is the appearance of the chin. Males have a leathery pocket at the bottom of the neck. In one-year-old turkeys it cannot be distinguished from the neck. To see the pocket, you need to lift it with your hand. In a turkey, this part sags by 2-3 centimeters.
By the fullness of the tail
The tail helps reveal the sex of birds.Females have a less lush and beautiful tail compared to males. At the same time, the feathers on the tail of turkeys are amazingly beautiful. They are smooth and dense.
By spurs and litter volume
To distinguish between females and males, it is worth considering the presence of spurs. In females they are extremely rare. To a greater extent, birds are characterized by soft feathers. Moreover, males have sharp spurs. Another way to identify sex is to estimate the number of litters. The age of the birds is not important in this case. In males, the droppings have a denser texture and smaller volumes. It lies in a "J" shape. Females are characterized by a larger number of litters. In this case, it usually forms a “slide”. The stool looks like chicken stool.
By habits
The difference between the birds is also present in their habits. Female turkeys are characterized by a collective behavior. They usually form groups of varying sizes depending on the number of birds. It is the females who exhibit more aggressive behavior. If turkeys form a group, they are able to peck other poultry - for example, chickens or roosters. Similar differences in behavior appear in adulthood. This method of gender assessment is usually used only by professionals.
It is worth considering that it is important to separate females from males at 5-6 months - this will help to avoid traumatic injuries.
During breeding, the behavior of males changes. They make cooing sounds and draw circles on the ground. This confirms the turkeys are ready to mate.
By size of individual
To distinguish girls from boys, you should focus on their sizes. The live weight of adult males can be 35 kilograms, and females - 11. At 5-6 months they are the same size.Therefore, it is important to take other features into account.
In young years
The easiest way is to estimate the sex of day-old turkey poults. This can be done using the Japanese method. To do this, it is recommended to stretch the cloaca and find the genitals with your fingers. In females it is possible to find 2 folds fastened to each other. Their genital organ is more elongated and characterized by a loose structure. In turkeys, there are 2 small roundnesses in the opening, which are called genital tubercles. This method requires knowledge and skills, but is 100% effective.
It is recommended to examine the genital organs of chicks very carefully to avoid traumatic injuries. On large farms, this manipulation is performed by a veterinarian. Inspection of one chick takes a maximum of 2 seconds. This method of gender identification is used from birth.
In a 1-week-old chick, the sex can be determined by the size of its feathers. In males, the outer feathers on the wings are of equal length. However, experts say that this method is only 70% effective. After some time, the length evens out and does not depend on gender. Therefore, there is a risk of missing this moment.
At an older age, it can be more difficult to distinguish turkey poults. Therefore, it is best to determine their gender at an early age. This should be done in 1 day.
To divide 1 month old chicks into 2 categories, you can use a special device. It involves the use of ultrasonic influence. Turkeys and turkeys have a number of differences. To identify the sex of birds, it is recommended to take into account their appearance, feather size, comb and tail. There is also a difference in behavior that helps distinguish males and females.
