Turkey's head/neck changing from pink to red

[NCIndiaBlue]

I have noticed that some of my 4 month old turkey's, I assume the Tom's, the skin on thier heads/necks changes from pink to bright red, back to pink, within a few minutes. Why does this happen?

 

[ivan3]

Increased control of blood flow to caruncles and snoods. `Mood snoods' kind of like mood rings. They're just starting to display their `attitude'.

ed:clarity

 

[usschicago1]

They could also be sunburned

 

[toredano]

Sunburned skin does not change to alternate colors within minutes.




My hen gets really red when she is upset. Or does it when her buddys are out of sight from her and she starts clucking.
Its normal..

I think its neat how they can control the bloodflow into their necks.

 

[NCIndiaBlue]

Thanks for the replies, yeah I think it's a mood thing too. I thought I was going crazy, because I would see them and their necks were pink.. then I would look again and the same turkey's neck was bright red. This is my first time having turkey's, so I wasn't sure. Here's a picture of one of my Bourbon Red's just starting to strutt his stuff.

 

[ivan3]

Gonna be handsome fella.

Now, if you see anything like this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=131987&p=1

Please be sure to post it up (still trying to figure this one out and would like to see how frequently this occurs).

 

[Jolyn]

Turkeys are so funny.....Mine go from pink to red all the time.

The one thing that freaked me out once was that thing that hangs down from the forhead shriveled up and was almost gone....I thought it had gotten ripped off....Then a few minutes later is was hanging down over their faces again.

ivan3.....your big turkey is gorgeous. What kind is he?

 

[boxermom]

Wait til their heads turn blue...

 

[ivan3]

Jolyn, He's a 4yr. old Royal Palm. That shot was taken in April. Currently he is exploding (molting) and pretty frowzy.

 

[Jolyn]

I want a Royal Palm as a pet....he really is gorgeous!!