About 245 million turkeys are slaughtered each year in the U. S. , with 46 million alone killed just for Thanksgiving. It’s true that turkeys are social and playful like cats and dogs, but their lives and deaths are very different from those of most indoor pets.
As a poultry enthusiast, I’m often asked “How long do turkeys live?” It’s a great question, and the answer depends on whether we’re talking about domesticated or wild turkeys. In this article, I’ll explore the typical lifespan of both types of turkeys, the factors impacting their longevity, and some interesting turkey fun facts along the way!
Domesticated Turkeys: 8-10 Years is Common
For domesticated turkeys raised on farms and in backyards, average lifespans range from 8-10 years However, with excellent care and a bit of luck, some domestic turkeys may surpass 10 years of age.
The breeds of domestic turkeys can impact longevity as well. Standard commercial breeds like Broad-Breasted Whites tend to have shorter lifespans of 5-8 years due to their rapid growth rate and weight gain. Heritage turkey breeds bred for conservation like Bourbon Reds and Narragansetts often live longer, sometimes exceeding 10 years.
Proper diet housing, predators protection and healthcare make a big difference in domestic turkey lifespan. Providing ample space, a balanced diet, predator-safe housing at night, and prompt treatment for illness and injuries can help domestic turkeys reach their maximum lifespan potential.
Wild Turkeys: 2-5 Years in the Wild
Wild turkeys face more difficulties and dangers impacting their typical lifespan of just 2-5 years The life expectancy of wild turkeys depends heavily on their habitat and survival challenges,
Tom turkeys tend to live around 4 years in ideal habitats. Hen turkeys often live shorter lives around 3 years since they face extra risks from predation while nesting on the ground.
Harsher or limited habitats force wild turkeys to range farther exposing them to more predators. Lack of food and water access also decreases their nutrition and immunity. Disease outbreaks in wild flocks can shorten life expectancy as well.
The most common wild turkey predators include bobcats, coyotes, foxes, owls, hawks, raccoons, snakes, and other opportunistic hunters. Human hunting also accounts for many wild turkey mortalities where permitted.
Factors Impacting Turkey Longevity
Whether domesticated or wild, several key factors work together to determine average turkey lifespan:
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Breed – Heritage breeds often live longer than commercial breeds.
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Habitat – Easy access to food, water, and shelter supports longevity.
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Predators – Lack of predator threats improves survival odds.
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Diet – Proper nutrition bolsters immunity and health.
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Disease – Illness outbreaks shorten life expectancy.
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Injuries – Dangers can lead to crippling or fatal injuries.
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Human Care – For domestic turkeys, attentive owners improve lifespans through housing, feeding, healthcare, and predator protection.
With this in mind, let’s look at some general turkey lifespan stages and milestones.
Turkey Lifespan Stages
Turkey life stages give us a better idea of their development and aging process. Here’s a quick overview of turkey ages and associated milestones:
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Poults – Newly hatched turkeys are called poults. They grow rapidly and face high mortality in their first 2-4 weeks.
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Juvenile – At 12-16 weeks old, turkeys reach adolescence. Wild juveniles start flocking together while domestic juveniles near market weight.
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Adult – Turkeys hit adulthood at 5-6 months old. Hens begin laying eggs while toms fill out their adult plumage.
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Prime – Wild turkeys reach their prime breeding years at 2-3 years old. Domestic turkeys hit peak egg production 1-2 years old.
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Senior – After peak maturity, turkeys enter their senior years where fertility and health begin declining.
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Geriatric – Turkeys reaching advanced age become frail and face compounding health issues. Lifespans beyond 10 years are rare.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of turkey life stages and longevity, let’s dig into some more turkey facts and frequently asked questions.
Turkey Fun Facts & FAQs
Here are some interesting tidbits and common questions about turkeys worth knowing:
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Record Lifespan – The oldest known domestic turkey lived to 26 years and 235 days old according to Guinness World Records.
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Year-Round Egg Laying – Mature hens can lay eggs nearly year-round, pausing briefly in the fall and winter.
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No Sweat Glands – Turkeys are unable to sweat since they lack sweat glands. They cool themselves by panting.
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Beard Gene – The beard gene can occur occasionally in hen turkeys, though it remains much more prominent in toms.
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Roost Size – Male turkeys are called “toms” and females “hens”. Mature toms (1+ years old) are substantially larger than hens.
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Brood Size – Turkey hens raise large broods, with clutch sizes averaging 10-12 poults but sometimes reaching 20+ poults.
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Roosting – Wild turkeys sleep on tree branches which helps protect them from predators. Domestic turkeys may also roost in trees and elevated perches.
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Flocking – Male and female wild turkeys form separate flocks outside of the breeding season. Only adult toms live solitary.
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Cold Hardy – With thick feathers and a remarkable metabolism, turkeys adapt well to cold climates.
How Long Do Turkeys Take To Grow
During the spring nesting season, wild female turkeys called hens will lay between nine and 13 eggs, incubating them day and night for about 28 days.
On factory farms, hens lay 100 to 130 eggs for six to seven months until their productivity declines. They lay eggs in boxes that push the hens out automatically and move the eggs to a belt. Turkey eggs are then transported to commercial hatcheries, where they are placed into incubators.
Newly-hatched chicks — called poults — usually leave the nest within 12 to 24 hours. In two weeks, poults can fly short distances and start roosting in trees.
Juvenile males are called jakes and juvenile females are called jennies. Technically, jakes can breed at age 1. But they may find it difficult to compete with mature toms and wind up traveling in search of a mate.
Most turkey breeds will mature between 14-22 weeks of age. Heritage breeds, however, take 25-30 weeks. Turkey toms grow to an average live weight of 41 pounds, while hens average 17 pounds each. These days, birds grow incredibly fast. By the time they are killed between 9 and 24 weeks old, they weigh over 20 kgs (44 pounds).
How Long Do Wild Turkeys Live?
In the wild, the life expectancy of a turkey is three to four years.