If you’ve ever wondered what female turkeys are called, the answer is simple: female turkeys are called hens. Just like chickens and other game birds, the adult female in the turkey family goes by the term “hen.” These hens play a vital role in reproduction, raising young, and leading turkey groups.
Basic Turkey Terminology
To better understand the role of female turkeys, it helps to know the common terms used to describe turkeys by age and gender:
| Stage | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Baby | Poult | A newly hatched turkey of either gender |
| Juvenile Male | Jake | A young male turkey (under 1 year) |
| Juvenile Female | Jenny | A young female turkey (under 1 year) |
| Adult Male | Tom or Gobbler | A mature male turkey |
| Adult Female | Hen | A mature female turkey |
How to Identify a Female Turkey
Female turkeys (hens) look and behave differently from their male counterparts. Here’s how you can tell them apart:
- Size: Hens are smaller than toms, typically weighing 8–12 pounds.
- Color: Hens have duller plumage, usually brown or gray, helping them blend into nesting environments.
- No beard: Most hens don’t have the tuft of bristly feathers (called a beard) found on male turkeys.
- Head appearance: Hens have smaller, less colorful heads with little or no caruncles (the red, bumpy skin found on males).
- Sound: Hens don’t gobble. They make soft clucks, yelps, and purrs for communication.
Role of Female Turkeys in the Wild
Hens play an essential role in turkey reproduction and flock structure. Their behavior directly affects the survival of young turkeys and the dynamics of turkey groups.
Nesting and Laying Eggs
Hens lay between 8 to 14 eggs per nesting cycle. They choose hidden, grassy areas and incubate the eggs for about 28 days until they hatch.
- They lay one egg per day until the clutch is complete.
- Once hatching begins, all poults emerge within 24 hours.
- Hens are highly protective and stay near their young for several weeks.
Raising Poults
After hatching, hens lead their poults to food and water, teaching them to forage and avoid predators. This guidance is critical in the first few weeks of life.
Do Female Turkeys Travel in Groups?
Yes. Outside the breeding season, hens often travel in flocks made up of other females and their young. These groups help protect against predators and make foraging more efficient.
During the spring breeding season, hens separate to nest and raise their poults. After the poults grow, hens may rejoin with other females to form larger fall flocks.
Differences Between Hens and Toms
| Trait | Hen (Female) | Tom (Male) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 8–12 lbs | 18–30+ lbs |
| Beard | Rare or absent | Present on most |
| Feathers | Dull brown/gray | Dark with iridescent sheen |
| Head Color | Light blue/gray | Bright red, blue, and white |
| Sounds | Clucks, yelps | Gobbling |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can female turkeys gobble?
No. Only male turkeys gobble. Hens make softer sounds like clucks and yelps used to communicate with their young or other hens.
Do hens ever grow beards?
Very rarely, about 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 hens may develop a beard due to genetic factors, but it’s much thinner and shorter than a tom’s beard.
Are hens hunted?
In most states, hunting regulations only allow the harvesting of male turkeys (toms) in the spring. However, some fall seasons allow the hunting of either sex. Always check local laws.
Conclusion: Female Turkeys Are Called Hens
Now you know—the official name for a female turkey is a hen. These birds are essential to turkey populations, playing a critical role in nesting, raising poults, and maintaining social order in turkey flocks. Whether you’re a hunter, bird watcher, or just curious about wildlife, understanding hens helps you better appreciate the life of wild turkeys.
Want to learn more about turkey behavior, hunting tips, or wildlife facts? Keep exploring our guides for everything you need to know!