roadapples 6,983 #1 Posted April 6, 2022 This ol boy was trying to impress the ladies in my driveway this morning. About 10 yards from the house... 8 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,216 #2 Posted April 6, 2022 Putting on a good show! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,156 #3 Posted April 6, 2022 Did ol Tom get lucky Jay ? 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,451 #4 Posted April 6, 2022 Cool pics but the hen in the last one don't look like she's in the mood... 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,547 #5 Posted April 6, 2022 57 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Cool pics but the hen in the last one don't look like she's in the mood... Ain’t that typical for all us Tom’s??? We look great, are outstanding specimens of the male species, put on a a great show, but… 1 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,156 #6 Posted April 6, 2022 10 hours ago, roadapples said: This ol boy Looks like a 4 1/2 yo bird. No Jakes around to challenge him Jay? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #7 Posted April 6, 2022 (edited) Would guess they yard up around yer bird feeders 'Apples. We use to have a ton of them under our feeders. Not so much anymore I think the cats keep them away. I don't have mouse nests in my tins tho. Was he gobbling? Edited April 6, 2022 by WHX?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #8 Posted April 6, 2022 (edited) At least a dozen Jakes around and 2 other Toms but they weren't with him yesterday. Three hens raised 29 chicks last summer. They did start coming in to the feeders last year. A few other hens around that didn't raise any young. Read recently that they only live 3 to 4 years but haven't done any research.... @Ed Kennell @WHX?? Edited April 6, 2022 by roadapples Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,156 #9 Posted April 6, 2022 42 minutes ago, roadapples said: Read recently that they only live 3 to 4 years Yeah, most die young from predators. Skunks, opossums, raccoons raid the nests for eggs. Foxes,coyotes, hawks, and eagles get thier share of the young poults. And now there is evidence the recently introduced fisher is climbing the roost trees at night and killing mature turkey. There are several ways to age a gobbler. Hens never divulge thier age. A jake (1 yo) will not have a full tail fan, the 4 center feathers will be longer than the rest after 2 years, a gobbler will have a full tail fan A jake will have a beard length of 2-4 inches 2 yo gobblers have 4-8 inch beards The best age indicator is the spur length the spur grows 1/4" per year. Here is a jake, 2yo, and 3yo spur. Here is a 4 yo Yes, I save everything to make rod racks, gun racks, hat racks, and wallpaper. There is a documented tagged hen in northern PeeAaa that is over 12 years old. Some of us old predators only eat gobblers. 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,069 #10 Posted April 6, 2022 20 hours ago, roadapples said: This ol boy was trying to impress the ladies in my driveway this morning. About 10 yards from the house... Is he a pet ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,069 #11 Posted April 6, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: 2 yo gobblers have4-8 inch beards Guess I’m a gobbler… Edited April 6, 2022 by Horse Newbie 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #12 Posted April 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, Horse Newbie said: Is he a pet ? No he's wild. Much spookier than the deer... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #13 Posted April 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, Horse Newbie said: Guess I’m a gobbler… Definitely not a Jake... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,069 #14 Posted April 6, 2022 4 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,216 #15 Posted April 6, 2022 Turkey woulda been our national bird if Ben Franklin had won the argument! They are smart, wily, and powerful creatures. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,305 #16 Posted April 6, 2022 43 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Turkey woulda been our national bird if Ben Franklin had won the argument! They are smart, wily, and powerful creatures. Yes, but then they would be protected and Thanksgiving dinner would be scrawny eagles. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,451 #17 Posted April 6, 2022 50 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Turkey woulda been our national bird if Ben Franklin had won the argument! They are smart, wily, and powerful creatures. Mr Franklin was right. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
