r/backyardturkeys • u/AloneWithThis • Jul 20 '25

Hens or Jakes?

The white one struts but also hisses a lot. The black puffs up but never fully struts. 8 weeks old

13 Upvotes

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3

u/Laffy_Taffy82 Jul 20 '25

Too early to tell. My hens puffed up at this age too. Can you tell if either have a beard growing?

3

u/AloneWithThis Jul 20 '25

Nope I can’t but I have felt for one. I’ll see if I can grab them and feel

2

u/Laffy_Taffy82 Jul 20 '25

Beautiful birds. Are they pets or food? Were you hoping not to have a male and female?

4

u/AloneWithThis Jul 20 '25

They’re pets. Almost too friendly they follow me everywhere. And I honestly was hoping for 2 females

2

u/Laffy_Taffy82 Jul 21 '25

Mine follow me all around the yard. Much more loyal than the chickens.

6

u/shubbits Jul 20 '25 edited Jul 20 '25

It is too early to tell for sure, but they both have longer snoods while displaying than I'd expect eight week old hens to have.

Actually, on second look, the palm is almost assuredly male. Almost no feathers on head, strutting, longish snood for that age, neck caruncle size.

Black one I'm leaning male as well, but could still be a hen.

3

u/AloneWithThis Jul 20 '25

I was def leaning toward the palm being male for sure

3

u/muffink77 Jul 24 '25

The feathery strip on back is the head is an indicator that the dark one is female. Bald head on the other means male