I purchased 3 domestic young turkeys form the feed store. Some woman had brought them in because she needed the money. She had obviously hand raised them and they are adorable. The problem is that I think the male is trying to lay eggs. Everyday he goes and hides under the vines and stays there until I drag him out at night to put him in the turkey house. I am fairly sure he is a male as he has a 1 inch beard and he makes puffing noises. The other 2 turkeys stay together all day long and will sit with me when I am working in the garden. Yesterday One of my friends came over to see them and the one of the two that are always together puffed up. Neither of those have beards. So.do I have 2 hens and one Tom of one hen and 2 Tomes or do I have one gay Tom 1 straight Tom and one hen? They all get along. I have had chickens for years and have never had this problem. How do I tell what they actually are and if it turns out I have two toms should I get aanother hen so he isn't lonely. I am fairly sure these Turleys are not a year old. Horses, Old English Sheepdogs, and chickens are my expertice so I am at quite a loss right now.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Thorndown

Some female turkeys have beards although it's rare. I've gotten lots of e-mails about turkeys over the years, and there was one person who swore that their tom incubated eggs. I still have my doubts! Toms normally don't want to brood at all. Both sexes will "puff" as you call it. Toms, once mature, will puff and throw their tails out in a fan and beat their wing feathers on the ground. Males have much more growth on their heads and necks and are larger than females. If you're still unsure, you can send me some small jpg photos or post them here. By 6-months-old, there should be no doubt as to which sexes that they are. If I had to guess, I'd say the bearded turkey is a tom, and the two nice ones are hens.