BBB Poult - sparse feathering - is that normal?

[junkprospector]

My BBB is about a month old now and seems to be doing really good. He's active and curious, walking around, etc. One thing i have noticed (compared to chickens) is that the feathering on him - in areas that are normally covered - is pretty sparse. For instance, on the side of his body, where his wings normally are when they're not stretched out, or in the folds of his wings... these areas don't have the feathering that the exposed parts do. Is that normal for a BBB? this is my first turkey and all i have to compare to is chicken poults...
thanks!

 

[flocksalot]

Turkeys take about twice as long as chicks to completely feather. It's one of the reasons they need to stay in the brooder longer.

Don't you just love the way they whistle for you? I have four different ages in the house right now and when I wake up to them calling for momma I know which brooder by the sound. Of course the really loud persistent and obnoxious one is my African Grey mimicking the poults.

 

[junkprospector]

OK, good to know. it didn't look like the chicks were getting to him or anything like that - i was just curious more than anything.

 

[Deedee]

junkprospector~ This is my very first turkey also, BBB too. Mine is only 11 days old.
I've raised chicken and ducks, and yes very different.
So I'll be probably watching for your posts.
Good Luck

 

[ivan3]

Turkeys, apparently, go through five distinct molts before adult feathering at one year of age. I've never seen anything particularly `distinct' about the molting `schedule' but they can and do show some skin during the transitions. Discolored/dull `frowzy' or twisted feathering can be a sign of problems. However, adult toms, strutting around with chests looking to be `oven ready' (no feathers) for a couple of months at a stretch isn't unusual.