Factfile

Modern farmed turkeys descend from the wild turkeys that probably originated in Southern Mexico. The turkey was first domesticated around 2,500 years ago by native Americans. However, more intensive development into the present day domesticated turkey has only taken place over the last 40 years, very recently in comparison with other farmed animals.

Breeding to produce larger birds with greater amounts of breast meat has meant that the modern-day breeds of turkey are now very heavy and have much more developed breast muscles. However, they still have many of the same behavioural drives as their wild relatives.

The most common farmed turkey breed in the UK is white feathered, though bronze and black breeds are sometimes farmed too. The average weight of a wild male turkey is around 7.5 kilogrammes. However, through selective breeding for faster growth rates, a standard male domesticated turkey can reach as much as 25 kilogrammes in 20 weeks (approximately the weight of a small Labrador) and put on weight at an average of more than 1 kilogramme per week.

Wild turkeys are very active animals and can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour when running and can fly for short distances at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. The large size of commercially-farmed turkeys means that they are unable to fly, but they still like to stretch and flap their wings, run and exercise, investigate and explore their environment, and perch on raised perches.

Because of the size of typical commercial male turkeys, natural mating with the female rarely takes place as it’s difficult for the male to get close enough to the female. Any attempts to mate with a female can also cause her serious injury, as she is much smaller and lighter. As a result, most breeding is carried out using artificial insemination.

Turkeys have unusual-looking flaps and protrusions of skin covering their beak (the ‘snood’), below their chin (the ‘wattle’) and on the neck (‘caruncles’). These are often more prominent on males and can become brighter red when turkeys are excited, courting, aggressive or scared. Stags (male turkeys) also have spurs on the back of their legs that they use to spar with other males, and large tail fans that they display to females. Even though turkeys have no external ears they have good hearing, and can also see in colour.