Turkey Mystery Might be Solved

Asked a friend last night about my heritage Bronze turkeys. Haven't had a single fertile egg out of them.

He told me that they can take longer to mature and that the tom will be ready to breed when he has the beard coming out of his chest. Checked this morning and sure enough, no beard.

So the guy might not be a dud after all. Just young and inexperienced.

Can't help but think of the scene in "Blue Lagoon" where the two teenagers (growing up without adults around) have absolutely no idea of what they're supposed to do.

That is good news to find out he is still just a youngster. And you can rest assured he will figure it out when the time comes.
I remember that movie, and those naive young teenagers managed to get it right!

How old are they? I do find my blue slates take their time. Really a year old then the hens only lay in Spring/Summer. Toms spend a lot of time standing on the backs of the hens trying to figure it all out...

Hens have a beard too but keep it hidden in their cleavage (so to speak) and only show off once in a while. I think when they get tired of the males standing on their backs...

You have a great way with words Heda Gobbler!

I think they would have been a year old around June or July.

The hen has laid very well.

Hmmm - well they should be "doing it" now, although the male is likely still figuring it out. Have you seen him at work?

Nope. Never seen him doing his thang.

I'd say that's significant. Mine generally spend six months walking over the hens before they get it figured out. There's a cooing sound they make that is unmistakable. Is he the same age? Is he being bullied? You may have to swap him for some one new. I've been told toms are most effective in their first year (12 to 24 months) but I've kept some for up to five years, but always with a younger one to tag team with, just in case.

Maybe he needs therapy. Or a blue pill....

Maybe he just has performance anxiety from Fowler watching him all the time!

He was actually the dominant one. I removed the other guy because he was getting bullied.

Is he displaying and making that weird "thump" sound? I'd tend to say don't worry until next spring but he should be in super Thanksgiving preparedness display mode right now, and the beard should be showing at least a little.

I really have no other suggestions...

Yeah, I'm thinking we'll just have to wait and see if he shapes up next spring.

I think that's probably the wisest course but sad if he never measures up!

Well the first eggs went in the bator and both candled clear. He obviously still isn't doing anything and I see he is limping right now so I figure there is zero chance of action in the near future. This morning I switched out the toms. New guy is in with her now so we'll see how that goes. She has only laid a few so far so hopefully I can get some fertile ones yet.

If I start getting fertility I may invite the first tom to dinner.

Alternatively... For sale, one Tom Turkey, possibly either gay or married to his work...

Just goes to show that dominance isn't always what it's cracked up to be!

Hope the "alternate" performs a little better...