When you think about turkeys, you might picture the big birds on a Thanksgiving table. But have you ever wondered how big a young turkey actually is? Whether you’re raising turkeys, curious about wildlife, or just love learning about animals, understanding the size of young turkeys is fascinating. Let’s dive into the growth stages of turkeys and discover how big they get as they grow up.
Understanding Turkey Types and Growth
First, it’s important to know that there are different types of turkeys, mainly wild turkeys and domestic turkeys. Domestic turkeys, especially the Broad Breasted varieties, are bred for size and meat production, while wild turkeys are leaner and smaller.
Domestic Young Turkeys
Domestic turkeys grow quickly and can reach impressive sizes in a few months. For example:
– At 4 weeks old, a young Broad Breasted turkey weighs about 1.65 pounds.
– By 8 weeks, they grow to around 6.2 pounds.
– At 12 weeks, they can weigh approximately 11.6 pounds.
– By 16 weeks, they reach about 16.5 pounds.
– At 20 weeks, they can weigh over 21 pounds, and by 24 weeks, they might reach 25 pounds or more.
These weights are averages and depend on the breed, diet, and care. Female turkeys (hens) tend to be smaller than males (toms), with hens usually weighing less at each stage.
Wild Young Turkeys
Wild turkeys grow more slowly and are generally smaller than domestic breeds. A female wild turkey (hen) weighs between 5 to 12 pounds when fully grown, while males (toms) weigh between 11 to 24 pounds. Young wild turkeys, often called poults, start very small-just a few ounces at hatching-and grow steadily over several months.
How to Tell the Age and Size of a Young Turkey
If you come across a young turkey or are raising one, you can estimate its age and size by looking at certain features:
– Feather Patterns: Juvenile turkeys (called jakes for males and jennies for females) have pointed outer wing feathers with white bars that don’t reach the tips, unlike adults whose feathers have white barring all the way to the tip.
– Tail Feathers: Young turkeys have uneven tail feathers, with the central feathers longer than the outer ones.
– Weight: Juvenile males can weigh anywhere from 5 to 18 pounds depending on age and season; juvenile females weigh between 3 to 10 pounds.
Growth Milestones in Turkey Development
Here’s a simple breakdown of turkey growth by weeks and approximate weights for domestic Broad Breasted turkeys, which are the most common for meat production:
| Age (weeks) | Approximate Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 4 | 1.65 |
| 8 | 6.2 |
| 12 | 11.6 |
| 16 | 16.5 |
| 20 | 21+ |
| 24 | 25+ |
At around 18 to 20 weeks, many domestic turkeys are ready for market or processing, with toms averaging about 29 pounds dressed weight and hens about 20 pounds dressed.
Factors Affecting Turkey Size
Several factors influence how big a young turkey grows:
– Breed: Broad Breasted turkeys grow larger and faster than heritage or wild types.
– Diet: High-quality feed with balanced nutrients supports faster growth.
– Environment: Proper space, temperature, and care improve growth rates.
– Gender: Males grow faster and larger than females.
Fun Facts About Turkey Size and Growth
– Turkeys dress (ready for cooking) at about 75-80% of their live weight.
– Wild turkeys can run up to 25 mph and fly up to 55 mph despite their size.
– Female turkeys are generally smaller and less colorful than males.
– Young turkeys are called poults and are tiny and fluffy when they hatch.
Summary
Young turkeys start small but grow quickly, especially domestic breeds raised for meat. By 4 weeks, they weigh around 1.5 pounds, and by 20 weeks, they can be over 20 pounds. Wild turkeys are smaller and grow more slowly, with adult females weighing 5 to 12 pounds and males 11 to 24 pounds. Knowing these sizes helps turkey farmers, hunters, and nature lovers understand these fascinating birds better.
Young turkeys are impressive in how fast they grow, turning from tiny poults into large birds in just a few months – a true marvel of nature and farming!