The adult female turkey is known as a hen, a term consistently applied to both the domestic and wild varieties of the species, Meleagris gallopavo. Like many fowl, turkeys possess a distinct nomenclature to differentiate individuals based on their sex and maturity. This specific terminology is used by biologists and poultry farmers alike to accurately describe the bird’s place in the social and reproductive structure of its flock.
The Specific Name for a Female Turkey
The universally accepted name for an adult female turkey is a hen. This term is not exclusive to turkeys; it is also used for the adult female of other bird species, such as chickens, pheasants, and many waterfowl. The hen is generally smaller than her male counterpart, typically weighing about half as much and displaying a duller, gray-brown plumage, which serves as camouflage during nesting. While some hens may exhibit a beard—a tuft of modified feathers on the chest—they lack the prominent leg spurs characteristic of males.
This single, definitive term, hen, applies regardless of whether the bird is a wild turkey foraging in a forest or a domesticated turkey bred on a farm. The term is functional and zoologically correct, simplifying communication about the reproductive and social roles of the female bird.
Terminology for Males, Young, and Groups
The adult male turkey is referred to as a tom or, more commonly, a gobbler, named for the loud, distinct vocalization he uses during the spring breeding season. Young turkeys of either sex are called poults from the moment they hatch until they begin to mature.
A juvenile male, typically around one year old, is known as a jake, while a juvenile female is sometimes called a jenny. These terms help distinguish the younger birds from fully grown, breeding adults. When turkeys gather together, the collective noun for a group is often a flock, especially in the context of wild turkeys. Groups of domesticated turkeys are sometimes referred to by the traditional, though less common, term, a rafter.
The Hen’s Role in Breeding and Rearing
The hen is solely responsible for all nesting and parental duties, as the male turkey does not participate in raising the young. After mating, she will create a shallow, bowl-shaped nest, often concealed in dense underbrush or tall grass. The hen typically lays a clutch of approximately 9 to 15 eggs, usually depositing one egg every day or every other day until the clutch is complete.
Incubation begins only after the final egg is laid, ensuring that all poults hatch simultaneously after about 26 to 28 days. Once hatched, the young are precocial, meaning they are covered in down and are active and mobile almost immediately. They follow the hen away from the nest within 24 hours. Hens often combine their offspring with those of other females, forming large, protected groups known as crèches, which increases safety for the young.