How Tall Do Turkeys Grow? A Closer Look at the Average Turkey Height

Turkeys are a popular poultry bird especially around the Thanksgiving holiday. But if you’ve never seen a live turkey up close, you may be wondering – just how tall do turkeys grow?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the average height of wild and domesticated turkeys. We’ll go over how factors like gender and domestication impact their stature Whether you’re curious about turkeys or planning to cook one for an upcoming meal, this guide will give you a better sense of turkey sizes

Wild Turkey Height

Wild turkeys are native to North America and still roam free in many parts of the continent The average height of a wild male (tom) turkey is about 4 feet (12 meters) tall. Female (hen) wild turkeys are noticeably smaller, averaging around 3 feet (1 meter) in height.

These height averages can vary slightly depending on the subspecies. There are six wild turkey subspecies remaining in North America:

• Eastern wild turkey – The largest and most numerous subspecies, found throughout the eastern half of the United States. Eastern toms average 4 feet in height.

• Osceola wild turkey – Very similar in size to the Eastern. Found in pockets of Florida.

• Rio Grande wild turkey – Slightly smaller than Easterns, averaging 3.5 feet tall. Lives in the central plains of the U.S.

• Merriam’s wild turkey – Shorter and stockier than Easterns with more white-tipped feathers. Average 3.5 feet in height. Found in the Rocky Mountains and northwest.

• Gould’s wild turkey – The smallest and rarest wild turkey, maxing out around 2 feet tall. Only found in small areas of Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico.

• Ocellated wild turkey – A different species found only in a small section of the Yucatan Peninsula. Similar in height to North American wild turkeys.

As you can see, the average wild tom turkey ranges from about 4 feet down to 2 feet tall depending on the subspecies. In all cases, the female turkeys are around 1 foot shorter than the males.

Domestic Turkey Size

Domestic turkeys are much larger than wild turkeys due to selective breeding by humans. The average height of a domestic tom turkey is between 2.5 to 3 feet (65 to 80 cm). Hens are slightly shorter, ranging from 2 to 2.5 feet tall (50 to 65 cm).

However, when it comes to domestic turkeys, weight is a more useful measurement than height. Some bred varieties like the Broad Breasted White can weigh over 40 pounds, even though they aren’t much taller than wild turkeys!

The large commercial turkeys raised on farms are unable to mate naturally due to their size. Smaller heritage turkey breeds are closer in stature to wild turkeys, only reaching 16-24 pounds in weight.

How Tall Can Turkeys Grow? Maximum Height

The tallest wild turkey on record was a massive Eastern tom shot in Wisconsin in 2015. It measured 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 meters) tall and weighed a whopping 38 pounds!

For domestic turkeys, the potential maximum height depends on the breed. Smaller heritage breeds top out around 2.5 to 3 feet. The largest commercial turkey varieties can potentially reach up to 3.5 feet tall if allowed to mature fully.

However, turkeys raised for meat are slaughtered at a much younger age, usually under six months old. This prevents them from reaching their full adult size. A commercial hen turkey is typically butchered at just 16-19 weeks old and under 20 pounds.

Why Male Turkeys Are Taller

In most bird species, the males are larger than the females. The reason often comes down to mating strategies and behaviors.

For wild turkeys, the male birds compete with each other aggressively for territory and access to hens during breeding season. Their large size establishes dominance and also protects against predators.

The male’s height allows him to survey his surroundings while displaying to females. Their long legs can also deliver powerful kicks to fend off rivals or predators when needed.

Since the hen turkeys don’t compete for mates in the same way, they benefit from being smaller and more agile. Their petite size also requires a bit less food, an advantage during nesting season.

How to Fit a Turkey in Your Oven

When cooking a Thanksgiving or holiday turkey, it’s important to make sure it will fit inside your oven! Here are some general turkey size guidelines for different oven dimensions:

• Small Toaster Oven: 12 to 15 inches tall – Avoid cooking whole turkeys. Opt for a turkey breast instead.

• Standard Oven: 15 to 17 inches tall – Holds a 12 to 15 lb turkey.

• Large Oven: 17+ inches tall – Fits turkeys up to 18 lbs or more.

• Professional Range: 25+ inches tall – Can hold a commercial 20+ lb turkey.

No matter the turkey’s size, you’ll also need an oven-safe roasting pan with at least 2 to 3 inches of clearance on all sides. Preparing the turkey flat by removing the backbone and flattening the breastbone can also help it fit better in a smaller oven.

The Takeaway on Turkey Heights

While domestic turkeys can grow quite massive, wild turkeys are much more modest in stature – only around 3 to 4 feet tall at most. Even the largest domestic breeds aren’t much over 3 feet high since they’re slaughtered young for eating purposes.

Knowing the average turkey height is useful whether you’re observing them in the wild, raising them on a farm, or cooking them for a holiday feast. With the right technique, even a large bird can be accommodated in most standard oven sizes.

So the next time you see a turkey out and about, take a moment to appreciate their impressively tall and statuesque proportions!