How Old Can a Turkey Live? Exploring the Lifespan of Wild and Domestic Turkeys

Turkeys are a familiar sight during the holidays, when most families sit down to enjoy a traditional roasted turkey dinner. But besides being a popular main course, turkeys are fascinating birds with unique behaviors appearances and lifespans. So how old do turkeys live, both in the wild and captivity? Let’s take a closer look at the average turkey lifespan and the factors that affect it.

Overview of Wild Turkey Lifespans

Wild turkeys have an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years. However, the maximum reported lifespan for a wild turkey is 15 years, for a bird found deceased in Massachusetts. Previous records showed lifespans up to 14 years for the Rio Grande subspecies. The lifespan of a wild turkey depends heavily on its habitat and ability to access resources. Turkeys with abundant food and shelter nearby can live longer than those forced to range farther for resources.

What Impacts Wild Turkey Lifespan?

There are several key factors that affect how long wild turkeys live

• Predation – Predators like bobcats, coyotes, owls, and snakes help limit wild turkey lifespans Females are especially vulnerable when nesting on the ground.

• Disease – Turkeys covering more ground are more prone to disease from nutritional deficits and stress.

• Habitat resources – Turkeys in habitats with readily available food, water, and shelter nearby have higher lifespans.

• Hunting – Legal hunting of wild turkeys impacts lifespan averages.

• Winter severity – Harsh winters claim many wild turkeys each year.

Stages of Development of Wild Turkeys

Wild turkeys go through four main life stages:

• Egg – Turkey eggs hatch after 28 days of incubation by the female.

• Poult – Newly hatched chicks are called “poults.” They can walk shortly after hatching but are vulnerable.

• Juvenile – By summer, poults join larger flocks of up to 200 birds, migrating if needed.

• Adult – Surviving juveniles mature into adults over winter. Males and females separate to breed in spring.

Lifespans of Domesticated Turkeys

In captivity, well cared for domesticated turkeys can live 10-12 years depending on the breed. However, commercially farmed turkeys raised for meat are usually slaughtered at 5-6 months old. Factors impacting domestic turkey lifespan include:

• Diet – A nutritious, high protein diet supports long turkey lifespans.

• Housing – Clean, spacious housing with room to roam keeps turkeys healthy.

• Disease/illness – Prevention and treatment of disease is easier than in the wild.

• Predators – Domestic turkeys raised indoors are protected from predators.

• Breeding – Some breeds are prone to issues like hip and foot deformities.

The Stages of a Domestic Turkey’s Life

The phases of life for domestic turkeys are similar to wild turkeys:

• Egg – Turkey eggs hatch after 28 days of incubation.

• Poult – Newly hatched poults rely on the hen but can walk and feed shortly after hatching.

• Juvenile – Poults grow quickly on a protein-rich diet and are fully grown by 20-24 weeks.

• Adult – With proper care, domestic turkeys become adults that can live over a decade.