A turkey is a large bird of the genus Meleagris, native to North America. These birds are known for their distinctive appearance, featuring a fleshy wattle and a snood, an appendage hanging over the beak. Turkeys exhibit a considerable range in size, influenced by whether they are wild or domesticated, and by various environmental and genetic factors.
Wild Turkey Dimensions
Wild turkeys exhibit notable size differences between sexes. Adult males, often called toms, typically weigh 11 to 24 pounds (5 to 11 kg) and measure 39 to 49 inches (100 to 125 cm) in length. Their wingspan ranges from 49.2 to 61 inches (125 to 155 cm). Female wild turkeys, known as hens, are considerably smaller, usually weighing 5.5 to 11.9 pounds (2.5 to 5.4 kg) and measuring 30 to 37 inches (76 to 95 cm) long. The Eastern wild turkey, a common subspecies, can reach up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) in height, with males potentially weighing up to 30 pounds (14 kg).
Domestic Turkey Dimensions
Domestic turkeys are significantly larger than their wild relatives due to selective breeding for meat production. The Broad-Breasted White is the most widely used commercial breed, developed for its large size and abundant breast meat. Adult male Broad-Breasted White turkeys can weigh 30 to 45 pounds, while hens typically range from 22 to 25 pounds. Another domestic breed, the Bronze turkey, also reaches substantial sizes, with males weighing 35 to 38 pounds and females 18 to 22 pounds. These domesticated birds often have such large breast muscles that they are unable to breed naturally and require artificial insemination.
Factors Influencing Turkey Size
Genetics play a significant role in determining a turkey’s size, with domestic breeds selectively bred for increased growth and larger body mass. Age also impacts size, as turkeys continue to grow, reaching their maximum weight around 5 to 6 months of age. Diet and nutrition are crucial factors; high-energy and protein-rich diets promote faster growth and greater body weight. Environmental conditions like climate and food availability also influence growth.
Record-Breaking Turkey Sizes
The heaviest wild turkey ever recorded was an Eastern turkey harvested in Kentucky, weighing 37.6 pounds (17.06 kg) in 2015. For domestic turkeys, the record belongs to a stag turkey named Tyson, which weighed 86 pounds (39 kg) at a competition in London in 1989. This demonstrates the upper limits of size achievable through selective breeding in domestic turkey populations.