Phil from Maine

While out trying for a turkey I have been seeing an all black hen. On our last day yesterday she had her poults hatch out. Some say it a domesticated turkey and others like myself feel it’s a melansic hen. So I guess I am asking for an opinion. They estimate that a melansic turkey is around 1 in 50,000. But, either way I have never seen an all black turkey before..

SportsmanNH

I'm believing she is Melanistic . I doubt a domesticated turkey would ever last in the Maine woods very long , never mind breed and have poults. .

Did the poults look normal color Phil ?

Oldtimr

I agree, melanistic.

Bocajnala

Unless you're hunting near someone's property that had turkeys running around

- jake

Phil from Maine

No Jake this is off a woods road around 10 miles from the nearest town..

Phil from Maine

Thank you and the poults look dark but most the newly hatched ones do anyway. I will be up in that area trying to clean up some more of that mess from the camp fire. I will take a ride and see if I can see them again while I’m there. They are only a mile and a half to two miles away from there..

excalibur43

I believe it's melanistic as well. Very cool looking bird. Maybe you'll get a shot at a melanistic gobbler once her poults grow up! That would be awesome.

Phil from Maine

Thank you excalibur43.. I think that would be awesome as well..

Phil from Maine

Thank you and I am thinking it’s a melansic hen as well.

Phil from Maine

I saw them today and she has around 12 poults I am thinking. All but 3 of them look to be normal color. Those other 3 looks to be black. Now if they make it for a couple of years hopefully one will be a decent tom??