Baby turkeys, known as poults, are distinct from adults, resembling fluffy, miniature versions of their mature counterparts. Their development involves a significant transformation from hatchling to juvenile bird.
Defining Features of Baby Turkeys (Poults)
Newly hatched poults are remarkably small, comparable to a human fist, and covered in soft, downy feathers. Their size varies by breed; domestic poults may weigh around 1.65 pounds at four weeks, while wild poults can be as small as 0.11 kg at birth. This downy covering often displays a mottled pattern of brown, yellow, and black, providing natural camouflage. Some breeds exhibit specific colorations, like the reddish feathers of Bourbon Red poults or the grey-blue of Slate poults.
Poults possess proportionally long, sturdy legs, enabling them to walk and run shortly after hatching. This precocial nature means they are born with their eyes open and capable of independent movement soon after leaving the nest. Their beaks are short and pointed, suited for pecking at small food items, and their eyes are relatively large. Young poults lack the prominent fleshy growths seen on adult turkeys, such as the snood (a fleshy appendage hanging from the forehead), wattles (fleshy folds under the chin), and caruncles (fleshy bumps on the head and neck), which develop later in life.
How Poults Change as They Grow
As poults mature, their appearance changes significantly, beginning with the replacement of soft down feathers with true feathers. This transition starts rapidly; primary wing feathers become visible as early as one week, and juvenile flight feathers fully emerge by three weeks. Feather development is crucial for survival, providing insulation and enabling short flights, often by two weeks of age.
Adult coloration, including vibrant bronze, black, or white plumage, gradually replaces the poult’s downy patterns. Around three to four weeks, male poults may begin strutting, fanning developing tail feathers and dropping wings to appear larger. The distinctive fleshy features of adult turkeys, such as snoods, wattles, and caruncles, begin to emerge and grow more prominent, particularly in males. These structures, which can change color based on excitement or health, are typically pale or absent in very young poults.
Poults grow quickly, transforming from small, downy chicks to larger, feathered juveniles that increasingly resemble adult turkeys. Most breeds are considered poults for about the first five weeks before transitioning into a juvenile stage. By approximately eight weeks, they are typically fully feathered, no longer requiring external heat.