Is it normal for Turkens to be this large at 4 weeks?

[PheasantPlucker]

I have a 4-week-old Turken that’s noticeably larger—about twice the size—compared to my 4-week old Australorps and all the other chicks in my flock. Most of the photos I’ve seen of Turkens at this age show them looking much smaller, so I’m wondering if this is typical or if I might just an unusually large one. Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[Amer]

I'd say so. It looks like it could have Red Ranger ancestry. Where did you get it?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I have had half a dozen turkens and I don’t recall them being twice the size of their brood mates except in one instance where they were actually a week older. I would also like to know where you got them.

 

[PheasantPlucker]

I got them from a tractor supply who gets them from Hoover's hatchery. They were all about 2-3 days old when i got them.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I got them from a tractor supply who gets them from Hoover's hatchery. They were all about 2-3 days old when i got them.

So they all started out the same size, correct? I have seen Turkens linger in the chick bin because their beauty is just too much for people to handle lol. Once during covid I went to get chicks and they had sold-out completely the same day they came in…except for the turkens. Which was fine for me cause that’s what I came for but I had to laugh that everybody was in such a rush to buy chicks but not desperate enough to buy THOSE chicks.

 

[Chicken Heel]

Looks like a Liege Fighter might have snuck into the breeding pen...

 

[PheasantPlucker]

Yeah, I got to Tractor Supply right as a shipment of chicks came in, and all the chicks were the same size. The Turkens did stick around for about a week, though — I guess not everyone can appreciate their unique beauty.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Keep us posted. I wish I had a definitive answer for you. I have never had a turken cockerel but I don’t imagine they grow that much faster than pullets.

 

[SuspiciousChick]

I have a 4-week-old Turken that’s noticeably larger—about twice the size—compared to my 4-week old Australorps and all the other chicks in my flock. Most of the photos I’ve seen of Turkens at this age show them looking much smaller, so I’m wondering if this is typical or if I might just an unusually large one. Any insight would be appreciated!

I've been having the same question! I have two Turkens that I also got from Tractor supply, that are noticeably bigger and heavier than all of my other chicks. They both look like they're two chicks wide! And they're only around 3-4 weeks old as well. Perhaps your Turken is crossed with a meatbird? I've been constantly worried about that. My Turkens are yellowy-white, and their faces look so much like the classic massive Cornish meatbird. My chickens are pets, and I'm worried they'll get huge like a meatbird would and have leg and heart issues. My Turken Sunshine is the sweetest of the bunch and will choose to cuddle with me. Hoping they're not crossed with meatbirds. I'm interested in seeing how your Turken grows!

 

[Draya]

I am following this thread because I just got four turkens from tractor supply and they are the same size as the chicks I got from our local feed store, different hatchery. Mine are all black and so far are the same size. Did yours start out the same size?