Whats the difference between a tom and a hen turkey?

Whats the difference between a tom and a hen turkey?

What’s The Difference between a Tom and a Hen? Hens are female and Toms are male. On average, Toms are larger, so if you’re looking for a turkey over 18 pounds, you will most likely end up with a Tom. If you are looking for a little more meat and less bone waste, look for a Hen.

What is the difference between male and female turkey?

Males, called toms or gobblers, are much larger than females. Males boast dark iridescent plumage; large, fanning tails; prominent snoods; and wattles. They make gobbles and other mating calls. Females, or hens, are smaller, with duller plumage and less prominent features.

What is the difference between a tom turkey?

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 characteristic differences do a hen and a tom have?

Both toms and hens have sparsely feathered heads with bare legs and feet that are pink to red in color. Toms grow a spur on the lower third of their leg that starts off small and rounded, but which becomes pointed and about 2 inches long with time. Hens also have a spur, although their spurs stay small and blunted.

What are tom turkeys?

A gobbler or tom turkey is a mature male bird. There will be shifts in physical appearance and behavior as they get older, but a gobbler is essentially a gobbler on its 2 year birthday.

What is Tom poultry?

Tom – Also known as a gobbler, is an adult male turkey. Hen – An adult female turkey. Jake – A young male turkey. Jenny – A young female turkey. Peahen – An adult female peafowl.

Is a male turkey A tom?

Only the adult male turkey makes the gobbler, gobble sound. The adult male is called the “tom” turkey. The female or hen turkey makes a gentle clucking or clicking sound. The hen never gobbles.

Are male turkeys called toms?

Since turkeys are obviously not cats, the phrase was shortened simply to “tom.” Juvenile males are also known as “jakes,” while the young female turkeys are known as “jennys.”

How many turkey hens are in a Tom?

Turkeys are polygamous, and one tom can fertilize as many as 10 hens.

Do we eat tom turkeys?

Answer: Both genders are sold commercially. A turkey’s age is the biggest factor in how it tastes. Since old females have tough meat, the hens are usually eaten when they are young and small. Conversely, older males are preferred to younger ones because younger ones generally have stringy meat.

Is tom turkey or hen better?

Most experts agree that a hen turkey is better than a tom, but it is probably a matter of personal preference. Hens are generally smaller than tom turkeys of the same age. Hens weigh less than sixteen pounds while toms always weigh over sixteen pounds.

Why do we call male turkey tom?

It’s an urban myth that Ben Franklin named turkey’s “toms” after Thomas Jefferson. The truth is the name “tom” stems from “tomcat,” a term used to describe a wild man that often enjoys the company of multiple females, much like the wild turkey.

What is the difference between a Tom and a hen turkey?

Hens are female and Toms are male. On average, Toms are larger, so if you’re looking for a turkey over 18 pounds, you will most likely end up with a Tom. A second item to consider is when choosing between a Hen or Tom is the bone to meat ratio. Toms have larger bones and less edible portions.

Why choose a locally-raised Turkey?

Age not gender seems to the determining factor for tenderness and a tasty bird for your table. Locally-raised turkeys that are fed a vegetarian diet without hormones or antibiotics will not only make your Thanksgiving dinner healthier, they’re tastier and fresher than factory-farmed birds.

How much Turkey do you need for a Thanksgiving dinner?

A good rule of thumb when determining how much turkey you’ll need is 1-1/2 pounds of poultry per person. Definitely go for two pounds per person if you want plenty of leftovers for some yummy sandwiches or a comforting turkey potpie the next day!