Turkey Names: Turkeys are domestic (farm) birds that were originally bred from wild turkeys. The adult female turkey is called a hen. The adult male is called a tom, and the young are called poults.

A young male is called a Jake while a young female is called a Jenny.

 

Feathers: Turkeys have about 3,500 feathers when they grow up. They used dyed feathers to make American Indian costumes or as quills for pens. The costume that ”Big Bird” wears on Sesame Street is made of turkey feathers! Turkey feather down has been used to make pillows.

 

Anatomy: The tom turkey is larger and more brightly colored than the hen. Toms grow to be up to about 30 pounds. The male turkey has a long wattle at the base of the bill and additional wattles on the neck. It also has a prominent tuft of bristles projecting downwards from its chest. The male will raise its tail feathers to form a fan shape to attract the female. It also does this as a show of aggression against its enemies.

 

Eggs: Turkey eggs are tan with brown spots. They are a little bigger than chicken eggs. They can lay about 9-18 eggs in a clutch (a set or cluster of eggs).

 

Color: Male turkeys are more colorful than females. Farm turkeys are usually white. The chest feathers on the males are coarse. Wild turkeys can fly. They fly and roost (sleep) in trees. Farm turkeys can’t fly because their breast is thicker and heavier.

 

Diet: Turkeys eat insects, bugs, plants, corn, wheat, worms, fruit, seeds, acorns, grains, slugs, snails, and many other foods. They have a well developed gizzard (a part of the stomach that contains tiny stones) that grinds up their food.

 

Temperature: Turkeys do not like water and the cold. Commercially bred turkeys are kept warm with heat lamps. In the wild, turkeys build their nests with dried leaves and grasses in places that are not easily seen on the ground.

 

Predators: Many animals prey upon turkeys, including skunks, owls, raccoons, hawks, bobcats, and snakes.