Breeding Potential of Subadult Wild Turkey Gobblers

Abstract

Testes were collected from adult and subadult eastern wild turkey gobblers (Meleagris gal- lopavo silvestris) killed during Missouri's spring turkey seasons of 1964 and 1965, in order to deter- mine the breeding potential of the subadult gobblers. Subadults were separated from adults on the basis of weight, spur and beard length, and retention of the 9th and 10th juvenile primaries. Rectrix replacement and progress of the postjuvenile or annual molt were helpful in separating age groups. A positive relationship was found between the predominant stage of spermatogenesis and testis weight of subadults. Testes weighing 7 g or more always showed spermatids, but those weighing less than 4 g never showed spermatozoa as the predominant stage. Bursa depths were shallower in birds exhibiting advanced stages of spermatogenesis, but spur length and beard length showed no relation to the stage of spermatogenesis. The sample taken from the testes of subadult gobblers shot during the 1964 and 1965 turkey seasons showed 28 percent (14 of 50) which possessed mature sperm. These data imply that these subadults could be capable of breeding. It is generally assumed that first-year wild turkey males do not breed (reviewed by Mosby and Handley 1943:107). Leopold (1944:160-161) recounted several observa- tions supporting this view. Among domestic turkeys (M. g. gallopavo), on the other hand, gobblers less than 1 year old are con- sidered the most vigorous breeders and are selected over adults for this purpose (Mars- den and Martin 1955:557). Hybrid sub- adult males breed both in pens and in the