What is a Young Female Turkey Called?

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Turkeys are a popular domesticated bird especially around the holidays. But what are the specific names for young female turkeys? It turns out they have some unique and charming monikers.

Overview of Turkey Terminology

Wild turkeys and domesticated turkeys have different common names depending on their age and sex. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Adult male: Tom or Gobbler
  • Adult female: Hen
  • Young male: Jake
  • Young female: Jenny
  • Babies of both sexes: Poults or Chicks

So a young female turkey under 16 weeks old is properly called a Jenny.

Why Use the Name Jenny?

The name Jenny for a juvenile female turkey has been used for hundreds of years Back in the 17th century, ‘Jenny’ was a common diminutive form of the female name ‘Jane’ So calling young girl turkeys ‘Jenny’ became popular, associating them with the human name.

While originally from Britain, American colonists adopted the ‘Jenny turkey’ terminology as well Early American dictionaries from the 1800s include ‘Jenny’ as the definition for a young female turkey.

So the tradition stuck, and most turkey farmers and poultry enthusiasts today know a Jenny turkey when they see one.

Identifying a Jenny Turkey

Telling a young male Jake turkey from a female Jenny can take a trained eye. Here are some tips:

  • Look at the feathers – Jakes’ tail and wing feathers will grow faster, while Jennies’ head feathers will develop sooner.

  • Watch behavior – Jennies are calmer, while Jakes are more assertive.

  • Check the legs – Jakes grow thicker legs and larger feet.

  • Listen to vocalizations – Jennies make higher-pitched cheeping sounds.

Traits of Mature Hen Turkeys

Once a Jenny turkey matures and reaches adulthood after about 16 weeks, she graduates into being called a Hen. Here are some characteristics of full grown Hen turkeys:

  • Smaller size than males, 5.5-11.9 lbs on average

  • Duller overall feathers, with chestnut-brown coloring

  • Smaller snood growth under the beak

  • No breast ‘beard’ like adult males have

  • Can lay up to 17 eggs in one clutch

Hen Turkeys Play a Key Role

While the male turkeys, or Toms, may get more attention, the female Hens are the backbone of turkey flocks. Their laying and nurturing instincts are essential to breed continuation. A flock needs its Jenny poults to mature into productive egg-laying Hens.

So next time you see a young turkey, consider the special name ‘Jenny’ if it is indeed a female. And remember the crucial role of the Hen turkey propagating the next generation!

a young female turkey

The Four Keys to ID

  • Size & Shape Wild Turkeys are very large, plump birds with long legs, wide, rounded tails, and a small head on a long, slim neck.

    Relative Size

    One of our largest and heaviest birds; smaller than a Trumpeter Swan; about twice the size (and four times as heavy) as a Ring-necked Pheasant.goose-sized or larger

    Measurements

    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 43.3-45.3 in (110-115 cm)
      • Weight: 88.2-381.0 oz (2500-10800 g)
      • Wingspan: 49.2-56.7 in (125-144 cm)

    © D. Bruce Yolton / Macaulay Library

  • Color PatternTurkeys are dark overall with a bronze-green iridescence to most of their plumage. Their wings are dark, boldly barred with white. Their rump and tail feathers are broadly tipped with rusty or white. The bare skin of the head and neck varies from red to blue to gray.© Brian McKenney / Macaulay Library
  • BehaviorTurkeys travel in flocks and search on the ground for nuts, berries, insects, and snails. They use their strong feet to scratch leaf litter out of the way. In early spring, males gather in clearings to perform courtship displays. They puff up their body feathers, flare their tails into a vertical fan, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call. At night, turkeys fly up into trees to roost in groups.© Tim Laman / Macaulay Library
  • HabitatWild Turkeys live in mature forests, particularly nut trees such as oak, hickory, or beech, interspersed with edges and fields. You may also see them along roads and in woodsy backyards. After being hunted out of large parts of their range, turkeys were reintroduced and are numerous once again. © Michael J Good / Macaulay Library

Wild Turkeys in the Rocky Mountains tend to have whitish tips to the rump and tail feathers, whereas other populations have rusty or chestnut tail tips.

Adult male (Western group)

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FAQ

What is the name of a young turkey?

A baby turkey is called a poult and they are active as soon as they hatch. “Predators such as foxes and hawks may take a few young turkeys, and cold spring rains can easily chill the poorly-feathered young birds.

What is the immature female name for turkey?

Animal Terminology – Turkeys
A B
Turkey Mature Female Hen
Turkey Immature Female Poult
Turkey Young Chick
Turkey Group Flock

Is a female turkey called a tom?

The sex designation of “hen” (female) or “tom” (male) turkey is optional on the label, and is an indication of size. Toms are larger but both toms and hens should be equally tender.

What is an immature turkey called?

Adult male turkeys are called gobblers. Juvenile males are called jakes. Gobblers average around 18-22 pounds and can have a wingspan of 5 feet.

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