Turkey names as per the sexes

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

I am not an authority on turkeys and do not claim to be, I am only writing about what I have learnt either by reading or being told and by first hand experience over the last 50+ years
Almost every time I read a turkey post I read the misnomers regards the humble turkey so I just want to set the record straight to the best of my ability
edited to save a potential argument

Baby and juvenile turkeys regardless of sex are referred to as POULTS

Adult female turkeys are referred to as HENS [although some refer to them as POULTS their entire lives]

Adult male turkeys are referred to as TOMS – [some like to refer to them as gobblers]

edited here as well to save a potentail argument

Tasjoey · **Posted:** Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:18 pm

Could I please ask the source of your information? I have read many books, spoken to many breeders, both here and overseas and have NEVER seen female turkeys referred to as POULTS. The only time they are referred to as this, that I've heard of, is when they are still young. I'm in no way trying to offend, but would like everyone that reads these posts get the right information straight up. After all, this is what we are trying to achieve here. If you have another source of information, could you please pass it on because I think we could all benefit researching it.
Cheers,
Jo

MariaCreeksPoultry · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2009 6:28 am

I have a book Management Manual for Turkeys 1951 published in the US. It refers to Toms, Hens and Poults. I haven't heard of hens called poults either, though I must admit I don't hang out in poultry circles apart from here.
I am not too interested in what other people call them. I will persist in calling Toms, Gobblers because that is what I am used and that appears to be the common vernacular in my neck of the woods. Maybe I would I would have to change my tune if I started showing, who knows.

MariaCreeksPoultry · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2009 6:30 am

Just looking at this book again and it's now calling hen's, dams.....Must be those yanks. :lol:

Bourke · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:06 am

For my 2 cents worth I spoke to Neville last night and asked him the correct names as he would be one of the oldest breeders of turkeys around this is what he said

Under 12 months = Poults
Males over 12 months = Tom
Female over 12 months = Hen

Not to be argumentative

that would be out of character for me

Bourke

Rony · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:48 pm **Posts:** 3

I thought a mature female was called a 'Hen poult'

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

The APS refers to them as Male and Female - very straight foward of them!

Rony = I heard someone at a show recently call one stranger than a hen poult - so perhaps it is what you grow up hearing?? and in some cases it has been printed and/or quoted

MariaCreeksPoultry wrote:

Just looking at this book again and it's now calling hen's, dams.....Must be those yanks. :lol:

'dams' so it gets more confusing LOL - a dam could be referring to the mother bird of a certain hatching? dam meaning 'mother'?

Tasjoey wrote:

Could I please ask the source of your information? If you have another source of information, could you please pass it on because I think we could all benefit researching it.
Cheers,
Jo

Many sources over the years some written and the verbal form have referred to female turkeys as poults
the last person I was discussing turkeys with was Darryl

Bourke wrote:

For my 2 cents worth I spoke to Neville last night and asked him the correct names as he would be one of the oldest breeders of turkeys around this is what he said

Under 12 months = Poults
Males over 12 months = Tom
Female over 12 months = Hen

Not to be argumentative

that would be out of character for me

Bourke

No you are never arguamentative :-D

no not at all :-D

so how abt we agree to disagree but we call them
poults toms hens depending on age and sex

I agree the point of this exercise is to get the correct info out there
my signature says it all - so we can easily meet on middle ground

A female adult turkey can be called a HEN - simple - problem of potential argument solved
the above post edited - also to save an argument

Bourke · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:10 am

soozorps wrote:

No you are never arguamentative :-D

no not at all :-D

well just a little :oops:

soozorps wrote:

so how abt we agree to disagree but we call them
poults toms hens depending on age and sex

I agree the point of this exercise is to get the correct info out there
my signature says it all - so we can easily meet on middle ground

A female adult turkey can be called a HEN - simple - problem of potential argument solved
the above post edited - also to save an argument

I absolutely agree

Bourke

Rony · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:48 pm **Posts:** 3

It's so nice when we all agree.

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Turkey names as per the sexes

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