Roost

[turkeyman]

This mourning my new Bronze tom had made it up with the hen to there roosting spot about 20 to 25 feet up. she flew off like normal but I was waiting to see him pitch off and he did but I seen that when he came down he hit alittle hard. My old tom never had this trouble. I don't no what I should do or if he just hasn't ever flew off something that high before and just doesn't no how to land good.

 

[favoritekitty]

How much do you think he weighs? He just might be new at it and needs practice. Where he lived before was he able to fly and roost?

 

[turkeyman]

He weighs about 16 pounds and is a year old. I don't no if he was allowed to fly and roost before I got him.

 

[favoritekitty]

I dont think 16 pounds is too heavy to come down a little more gracefully

Maybe he just needs practice. Did he hurt himself at all when he did come down that time? I think he just needs some practice flirting

 

[turkeyman]

No he's ok. My old tom weighted about 30 pounds or more and could fly really good but he flew everyday like a wild turkey a was in better shape than this new tom. I think he's got weak wings from not getting to fly much.

 

[turkeyman]

Today the broze tom deceided to have alook around a flew up on the camper nine feet up.

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

yeah sounds like he has never roosted before in high places and is not graceful enough for the landing, give him some time he'll get it 16 lbs is nothing for a bronze. Ours weigh 2x's that and they have no problems what so ever.

Just give him some time he'll get it !!

 

[Lu King]

Do turkeys ever get too heavy to fly? I thought I read somewhere they stopped flying after they weighed so many pounds.

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Do turkeys ever get too heavy to fly? I thought I read somewhere they stopped flying after they weighed so many pounds.

if they are heritage type they can fly always. it all would depend on how much they flew as they grew and if they kept in shape they still can when older and heavier, most of the time they don't as much when they are heavy, but if provoked they will.​

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Do turkeys ever get too heavy to fly? I thought I read somewhere they stopped flying after they weighed so many pounds.

You are correct once they get so heavy try can't fly anymore.
I have never seen a 30+ pound heritage White Holland or Standard Bronze tom get more than 3 or 4 feet off the ground. From raising 6 breeds here, some heavy some light I would guess-ti-mate the the flying weight limit at somewhere just over 20 pounds.

The Midget White, Beltsville Small White and Royal Palm hens are less than 20 pounds and they don't have any problem getting airborne. The toms are right at 20 or just a little more and they used to go to the roof of their range roost which is about 6 to 8 feet high. Now they only go about 3 feet to the actual roost part.

The Bourbon Red, White Holland and Bronze hens can jump/fly but it's rare.
The toms of those breeds have roots instead of feet.

Steve in NC​