Turkeys are large birds that are a popular centerpiece for holiday meals and celebrations. But just how big do turkeys grow? The size of turkeys can vary greatly depending on the breed, sex, and age of the bird. Here’s a quick overview of how big turkeys can get:
– Commercial turkeys, the type raised on farms for meat, are usually the largest. Toms (male turkeys) typically weigh 16-40 pounds at maturity, while hens (females) weigh 8-20 pounds. The heaviest turkeys hit over 50 pounds.
– Heritage breed turkeys, raised on small farms and backyards, are smaller. Toms weigh 18-25 pounds on average, with hens in the 10-15 pound range.
– Wild turkeys are much lighter than commercial breeds. Toms weigh 16-24 pounds and hens 8-10 pounds when fully grown.
So while your typical turkey on the table may be 15-25 pounds, some breeds and individual birds can be nearly triple that size. The largest turkeys are almost as heavy as some dogs!
How Fast Do Turkeys Grow?
Turkey poults (baby turkeys) grow remarkably fast. They can gain about 1 pound per week under ideal conditions. Here’s a timeline of how rapidly turkeys gain weight:
– Poults weigh around 2 ounces when they hatch.
– In 6 weeks, poults grow to 4-5 pounds.
– By 12 weeks, young turkeys are 12-15 pounds.
– It takes about 18-22 weeks for turkeys to reach their maximum weight.
This rapid growth rate is thanks to selective breeding programs. Commercial turkeys have been bred to convert feed to muscle as efficiently as possible. Their growth potential far exceeds wild turkeys.
Factors That Influence Turkey Size
Several factors contribute to just how big a turkey will grow:
Breed
Heritage breeds grow slower and don’t get as heavy as commercial broad-breasted varieties. The largest turkeys are usually White Holland, Narragansett, Bronze, or Bourbon Red breeds.
Sex
Toms grow much larger than hens. The male sex hormones spur more muscle growth. On average, toms will be 1.5 to 2 times the weight of females.
Feed Quality
A high protein, high calorie diet with ample minerals promotes fast muscle growth. Commercial turkeys are fed specialized diets to optimize weight gain.
Slaughter Age
The longer a turkey lives, the bigger it becomes. Most commercial turkeys are slaughtered at 14-18 weeks. Hens will be around the minimum weight, while toms may be 35 pounds or more at this age.
Health Status
Sick or stressed turkeys will fail to reach their growth potential. Good management and disease prevention ensures the largest, healthiest birds.
Genetics
Some individual birds are genetically predisposed to be larger. Selective breeding can produce toms exceeding 50 pounds.
How To Raise Bigger Turkeys
If your goal is to maximize the size of your turkeys, here are some tips:
Start with the Right Breed
Choose a heritage breed known for producing big birds, like Bourbon Reds. Or opt for a commercial broad-breasted hybrid for even faster growth.
Feed a High Protein Diet
Turkey poults need 28% protein feed for optimal growth. Make sure feed contains sufficient vitamins and minerals as well.
Provide Plenty of Space
Overcrowding stresses birds and depresses growth. Give turkeys ample room to move and exercise.
Butcher at 20-24 Weeks
Letting toms grow for 5-6 months yields much heavier weights than butchering at 4 months of age.
Select the Biggest Poults
Size at hatching predicts size at maturity. Pick the largest, healthiest poults to raise for breeding stock.
Following those tips will help your turkeys achieve their maximum genetic potential for rapid growth and heavy muscling. The largest turkeys make quite an impression at the holiday table!
Average Turkey Weights by Breed
Here is a table showing typical turkey weights by breed and sex when fully grown:
Breed | Tom Weight (lbs) | Hen Weight (lbs) |
---|---|---|
Broad Breasted White | 30-40 | 16-24 |
Broad Breasted Bronze | 32-40 | 18-22 |
Bourbon Red | 27-35 | 14-18 |
Narragansett | 25-35 | 12-16 |
Slate | 18-22 | 10-14 |
Black | 16-24 | 8-14 |
Royal Palm | 12-20 | 8-12 |
Wild Turkey | 16-24 | 8-12 |
This table shows the large variation in weights between heritage, commercial, and wild turkeys. Toms in particular can achieve giant sizes under optimum conditions.
World Record Turkey Sizes
Exceptionally large turkeys enter record books. Here are some of the biggest turkeys on record:
Heaviest Live Turkey
86 pounds – This male turkey named Tyson was raised in England in 1989. He was a 48-week old British United turkeys white breed. Tyson was more than double the 40 pound average weight.
Heaviest Turkey Ever
86.6 pounds – A wild male turkey shot in South Dakota in 2003 set the world record. It reportedly had a 9.5 inch beard.
Longest Beard on a Turkey
18 inches – Most beards are 4-10 inches long. But a wild Oklahoma tom shot in 1960 had an astonishing 18 inch beard.
Longest Spurs on a Turkey
2.25 inches – Spurs longer than 2 inches are rare. But the National Wild Turkey Federation reports a turkey with 2.25 inch spurs killed in Kansas.
Highest Auction Price for a Turkey
$8,500 – A charity auction in 2015 for the Grand Slam Turkey Club shattered records with a bid of $8,500 for a male rio grande turkey from Texas.
While these record holders are outliers, they demonstrate the incredible growth turkeys are capable of. Selective breeding continues to push the upper limits of turkey sizes today.
Key Factors in Turkey Growth
Let’s recap the key factors that drive how big turkeys grow:
Genetics – Heritage vs Commercial
Commercial breeds have been intensively selected for fast growth and heavy muscling. Heritage turkeys grow slower and don’t get as large.
Sex – Toms vs Hens
The male sex hormones like testosterone spur muscle growth. Toms grow significantly bigger than hens of the same breed.
Feed – Protein and Calorie Density
High protein, high calorie feed with sufficient vitamins and minerals promotes maximum growth rates.
Management – Space, Health
Low stress environments with ample space and disease control allow turkeys to achieve their genetic potential.
Slaughter Age – Under 6 Months
Slaughtering turkeys younger than 6 months doesn’t allow full growth. Older toms over 24 weeks grow much heavier.
Knowing these key factors helps explain the variation in turkey sizes, from small heritage breeds to giant commercial toms. With the right genetics and management, turkeys can achieve remarkably fast and large muscle growth. The sight of a 25 pound tom turkey is living proof of their amazing growth potential!
Conclusion
Turkeys can grow to surprisingly large sizes, especially commercial breeds raised specifically for meat production. Toms in particular exhibit rapid muscle growth, gaining up to 1 pound per week under ideal conditions. Males of the largest breeds may reach over 40 pounds by 6 months of age. With specialized feeding and genetics, turkeys can even exceed 80 pounds. So while your holiday turkey may be in the standard 15-25 pound range, rest assured that with the right breeding and care, turkeys can achieve giant sizes matching their historic reputation for impressive growth.