Domestic turkeys are classified as flightless birds, with it almost impossible to imagine their plump bodies ever being able to gain enough lift off the ground to become airborne.
Is the same true for free-roaming turkeys, or can wild turkeys fly? Keep reading to learn more about wild turkeys, whether they can take to the skies, and if so, how far and fast they can fly.
Wild turkeys do have some limited ability to fly and can propel themselves into the air with short, powerful bursts of speed. They rely on flight to reach the branches of trees where they roost overnight out of the way of predators, but cannot fly long distances in the air.
Unlike their domesticated relatives, wild turkeys do regularly need to leave the ground, either to avoid threats or to access an overnight roosting spot in the woodland canopy above their forest floor foraging ranges.
This instinctive flight response kicks in when they sense danger, but they are, however, not built for long-distance flights, for reaching great heights or for flying at high speeds for sustained periods.
Join us as we take a closer look at the flight of wild turkeys, and investigate why wild turkeys can fly but domestic ones are unable to.
As a backyard poultry keeper, I’m constantly amazed by the incredible jumping ability of turkeys. Their strong legs allow them to leap surprisingly high, easily clearing obstacles and fences that contain my chickens. But just how high can a turkey jump? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at turkey jumping prowess so you can plan enclosures and prevent escapes.
Typical Jump Heights for Different Turkey Breeds
Not all turkeys are created equal when it comes to jumping ability Heritage breed turkeys that retain their wild instincts are far more athletic than commercial broad-breasted varieties Here’s how their jump heights compare
Broad Breasted Turkeys
The broad-breasted turkeys raised for meat have been selectively bred for bulk over agility. Still, these big birds can flap and jump 3-4 feet high when motivated. They likely can’t clear a 4 foot fence, but it’s not impossible for a motivated individual.
Heritage Breed Turkeys
Heritage turkeys like Bourbon Reds, Black Spanish, and Narragansetts are incredibly athletic thanks to their wild genetics. These traditional breeds can easily clear 5-6 feet from a standing jump, sometimes leaping over 8 feet! I often see my Bourbon Red toms jumping onto our 6 foot coop roof just for fun.
So while broad breasts are limited jumpers, heritage breeds are skilled athletes you shouldn’t underestimate. Even heavyset heritage varieties like Bronze can meet or exceed the 6 foot mark with enough momentum.
Factors That Impact Jump Height
An individual turkey’s motivation and physical traits greatly influence its jumping ability. Here are key factors that affect how high a turkey can jump:
Age
Poults and juvenile turkeys are bursting with energy and can jump surprisingly high for their small size. Their leaping ability typically peaks around 16-20 weeks of age. As turkeys mature, their jumping height decreases somewhat. Still, mature adults remain agile birds.
Motivation
Turkeys jump highest when motivated. For example, a turkey startled by a perceived threat will explosively jump as high as possible. Or an adventurous bird may launch itself over a fence to explore. But a relaxed turkey wandering around may not jump nearly as high.
Terrain and Running Start
Turkeys use sloped terrain, perches, and running starts to build momentum for maximum jump height. A turkey sprinting downhill can achieve lift higher than a standing high jump. They also flap their large wings to help propel themselves upward.
So motivation, age, terrain, and other factors all impact how high your turkeys can jump at any given moment. Even individuals within a breed can vary quite a bit in their vertical leap.
Containing Turkeys: Fence Height and Other Tips
Now that you understand how high turkeys can jump, let’s go over some key principles for containing them:
Fence Height
For any turkey, the absolute highest fence possible is ideal. But let’s look at minimum recommended heights:
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Broad breasted turkeys – A 4 foot fence should contain most broad breasts, but 5 feet gives more assurance they can’t jump out.
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Heritage breeds – These athletic birds need at least a 6 foot fence, with 8 feet or more being ideal for the highest jumpers.
Going Even Higher
Consider exceeding the minimum fence heights if:
- Your birds are especially athletic or motivated to escape
- You have issues with predators like coyotes
- Your property has tempting roosting trees or open areas near the fences
Other Containment Tips
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Clipping wings – Trimming flight feathers can hinder a turkey’s lift and distance, but won’t completely stop a determined jumper.
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Perches and platforms – Giving turkeys jumping outlets inside the pen reduces their urge to jump the fences.
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Electric fencing – A poultry net or electric wire at the top of fences deters turkeys from perching on the fence tops. But proper grounding is crucial.
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Netted enclosures – A roofed run completely enclosed with bird netting can safely contain even high flying turkeys.
What Does Clipping a Turkey’s Wings Mean?
Clipping or trimming a turkey’s wings involves cutting the long primary flight feathers on one wing. This impairs their ability to fly and jump up to fences or roosts. The wing itself is never cut – only the feathers.
Done correctly, clipping does not harm the turkey. The feathers will eventually molt and regrow. But it’s important not to cut juvenile feathers with blood inside, as it can cause bleeding and trauma.
While clipping can help reduce jump height, it doesn’t completely prevent a determined turkey from leaping up to fences. It just hinders their lifting power and distance.
Insights from Experienced Turkey Keepers
Fellow backyard turkey keepers provide invaluable advice on containment based on their own experience. Here are some key insights from the online poultry community:
“Even my broad breasts can clear a 4 foot fence if they really want to.”
“5 foot fences couldn’t hold my Bilgoris. Upgrading to 8 feet solved all my problems.”
“Netted enclosures work great for even my most flighty birds. They can’t get leverage to jump.”
“Clipping wings helps control my Bourbon Reds, but doesn’t completely ground them.”
These first-hand experiences are so helpful when planning your own turkey containment strategy!
The Bottom Line
Turkeys are remarkably athletic birds capable of explosive, multi-foot jumps to clear fences and obstacles. Lightweight heritage breeds in particular can jump 5 feet and higher when motivated.
By understanding their jumping abilities and using sufficiently tall fences, roofed runs, and supplemental techniques like clipping, you can keep your turkeys contained. With proper precautions, these intelligent, energetic birds make an amazing addition to any backyard flock!
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Do wild turkeys migrate?
Wild turkeys lack the necessary long-term flight capabilities to fly a sufficient distance for regular migration. As they cannot successfully undertake migration flights, they need to find other ways to adapt to their environment when temperatures drop, and can survive at temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit), using their body fat to keep warm.
Wild turkeys can survive for around two weeks without food, so when the harshest winter conditions hit, they may choose to seek out a safe roosting spot on a high-up branch and enter into a hibernation-type state for an extended period of time.
How long can wild turkeys fly?
Wild turkeys are only built for very short bursts of flight, so lengthy or leisurely flights are not on the cards. A turkey’s breast muscles are not developed for long periods in the air. This is because a turkey’s reserves of the chemical glycogen, needed to maintain a strength while airborne, is used up quickly during flight.
Turkey on the Fly
FAQ
How high should a turkey fence be?
Whether your turkeys are allowed free movement over range pasture or are confined in a pen area, the fencing material should be as high as possible, at least four feet, given that these birds can and will fly.
How high up can a turkey fly?
How High Can a Wild Turkey Fly? Wild turkeys fly at low heights which would explain why we don’t see them flying through the air like other birds. Typically, a wild turkey will fly up into a tree about 20 – 30 feet in the air. However, they can go as high as 50 feet.
Will turkeys jump a fence?
Most times, that location revolves around a fence – a simple barrier that turkeys will cross at will, at least until you need them to.