Turkey thread

[LeftyMom]

They're smarter than is generally assumed. They like people and attention. They'll come when you call and follow you around like a puppy. They make the neatest, most expressive noises. They're amazing and underappreciated animals.



99% of turkeys raised in the US are of the superbroadbreasted white variety, leading to a high degree of genetic similarity and a suceptibility to disease. Almost all of these animals will be raised on factory farms. The genetic manipulation that produces the overlarge breasts needed to meet the American taste for white meat leaves these animals too large to breed naturally, so these animals are all the result of artificial insemination.

Federal animal cruelty and welfare statutes do not apply to turkeys. In most places they have no legal protection from even the most heinous abuse.



And yet they like people anyhow. Amazing, when you think about it.

[Kali]

1. They can be pretty obnoxious too.

Raised some Royal Palms one year. They liked to get into things. And onto things. They would drum and gobble at cars. Stand in the way of gates and doors. I prefer chickens, they seem much more intelligent than domestic turkeys, plus they lay eggs all year. I understand "wild" turkeys are better, but haven't tried them yet. Maybe next spring.

Homegrown turkeys are good eating, though.:evilgrin:

[mzteris]

4. I like Wild Turkey!

[Lochloosa]

2. And, yes Turkeys can fly.

At least wild turkeys. The domesticated birds cannot fly.

And they are fast. 55 to 60 MPH for a short distance.



Wild turkeys can and do fly. Although these birds may sometimes weigh over 25 pounds, their strong muscles and wings allow them powerful flight over short distances. However, adults rarely fly with continuous wingbeats for more than about 1/8 mile. When gliding with periodic wingbeats-- such as flying downslope-- turkeys can fly about 1 mile without difficulty. Their flight speed has been estimated as up to 55 to 60 mph. By nature, however, turkeys are "cursorial" (running) birds and they prefer to move about and escape on foot except when startled or severely chased.

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_turkey_learning_kit.htm#Q12

[Kali]

3. The Royal Palms I mentioned above could fly. Sort of.

They would get up on the power lines at the corral. Admittedly they are lower elevation than standard urban lines but I would say at least 20 feet. Nothing sillier looking than 3 or 4 HUGE black and white turkeys trying to balance on electric cable. Wish I had a photo. Actually I just might but no idea where to start the search as it would be on paper and in some box or drawer that I do NOT need to go looking for right now.

[Quantess]

7. Did your turkeys lay eggs?

If yes, did you eat them?

(I just have the one male turkey, who obviously doesn't lay any eggs.)

[Kali]

9. Nope.

Only had one female, but never saw them even try to mate, although the three males were always displaying for her.

[Quantess]

5. They make surprisingly good outdoor pets.

They are incredibly bright when it comes to eating. My bronze turkey can tell from a distance whether the food I'm holding is delicious or not. He's very mellow, gentle, and unafraid.

As you said, Broad Breasted turkeys are genetic freaks who often have trouble walking. Their little legs are too widely spaced, and are often too weak to support their overly meaty bodies.

[trof]

6. Ben Franklin wanted it for national bird.

[skygazer]

8. I've raised turkeys

Along with chickens, pheasant, geese, quail and ducks. Domestic turkeys were most definitely the stupidest of the bunch - which I don't hold against them. But they weren't real bright. They will follow people around - they'll also chase one bird who has a piece of lettuce around and around and around the pen even though there's a whole pile of lettuce for the rest of them. They seem to think he's got something better than the rest of them. :eyes:

I liked raising birds. I'd sometimes go out to the barn with a book and just sit on an upturned bucket reading and listening to the sounds they make - very soothing. I had one chicken named Bob who'd hop up onto my arm and kind of roost there contentedly. She was a character.

At any rate, I don't judge any creature's worth by their intelligence. They all deserve kindness and good care.