Female turkeys, also known as hens, do exhibit a behavior known as feather spreading, though it serves a different function than the feather spreading displays used by male turkeys, known as toms or gobblers.
What is feather spreading?
Feather spreading refers to when a turkey fans out and erects its feathers. This behavior serves different purposes depending on the sex and context.
When do male turkeys spread their feathers?
Male turkeys spread their feathers and fan their tails during courtship displays. This behavior, along with gobbling, is meant to attract females for mating. The males will puff themselves up to appear bigger and more impressive to females.
Do female turkeys spread their feathers?
Yes, female turkeys do spread their feathers, but not for the same reason as males. Female turkeys spread their feathers:
To regulate body temperature
Turkeys don’t have sweat glands and spreading their feathers allows them to cool down on hot days. Fanning the feathers helps circulate air close to the body and dissipate heat.
To dry themselves
Turkeys will also spread their feathers after rain or bathing to help dry themselves off. Spreading the feathers exposes more surface area to air and facilitates drying.
To appear larger and more threatening
Hens may spread their feathers when feeling threatened or defending territory. By making themselves look bigger, they signal to potential predators or intruders to back off.
To cover newly laid eggs
Mother hens will use their bodies and spread feathers to cover and insulate freshly laid eggs while in the nest. Her feathers help regulate egg temperature and conceal the nest from predators.
What are the differences between male and female feather spreading?
There are a few key differences between how and why male and female turkeys spread their feathers:
Purpose
– Males spread to attract mates, females spread to regulate temperature and appear threatening.
Frequency
– Males spread often during breeding season as they display for females. Females spread only as needed for specific purposes like cooling down.
Duration
– Male displaying goes on for a prolonged time. Female spreading is temporary and brief.
Energy level
– Males appear animated and excited during displays. Females remain calm while spreading.
Tail fanning
– Males fan their tails vigorously upward. Females do not dramatically fan their tails.
| Behavior | Male Turkey | Female Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Attract females | Regulate temperature, appear threatening, cover eggs |
| Frequency | Frequent during breeding season | As needed |
| Duration | Prolonged | Brief |
| Energy Level | Animated, excited | Calm |
| Tail Fanning | Vigorous fanning upwards | Minimal fanning |
How do female turkeys care for their young?
Female turkeys, called hens, dedicate a lot of effort to caring for their poults (baby turkeys). Here is how they care for their young:
Building a nest
– Hens find a well-hidden, sheltered spot and use vegetation to build a nest on the ground. This provides a secure environment for eggs and chicks.
Incubating the eggs
– Once a clutch of about 12 eggs is laid, the hen sits on them constantly to provide warmth. She turns the eggs regularly. This incubation lasts for about 28 days.
Providing warmth to poults
– Poults cannot regulate their temperature after hatching. The hen shelters them under her body and spreads her feathers to provide warmth if needed.
Showing poults how to find food
– In the first few weeks, the hen shows her brood how to find food like seeds, berries, and insects. She calls to them and scratches the ground to demonstrate.
Protecting poults
– The maternal hen safeguards her poults from predators. She may spread her feathers, vocalize, or attack potential threats that come near.
Roosting together at night
– At night, the hen gathers her poults under her wings on the roost. This keeps them safe and warm.
What are some key facts about female turkeys?
Here are some additional key facts about female domesticated turkeys:
– Called hens, females are smaller than males, weighing 8-15 pounds on average.
– Hens reach reproductive maturity at about 6 months old and can lay eggs fertilized by a male’s sperm for a few years.
– Wild hens lay 4-15 eggs in a clutch, while domestic hens may lay over 100 eggs per year.
– Brooding hens are dedicated mothers who care for poults for about 4-5 months before the young can survive independently.
– Hens communicate with distinctive vocalizations including clucks, purrs, and yelps.
– Their feathers feature iridescent reddish-brown, black, and off-white plumage. The head and neck lack feathers and have bluish-gray skin.
– Hens may spread feathers when hot to cool their bodies, when wet to facilitate drying, when threatened, and when nesting.
Conclusion
In summary, female domesticated turkeys, called hens, do exhibit feather spreading behavior. However, unlike male turkeys who spread feathers to court females, hens spread their plumage primarily for functional purposes like regulating body temperature, drying themselves, appearing larger to threats, and protecting eggs or poults in the nest. Their feather spreading serves an important role in nesting behaviors and caring for young. Understanding the purposes behind this interesting turkey behavior provides insight into the lives of these unique birds.
