Turkeys

[thomascmrn]

Hi I was woundering what is the normal life span of a turkey?

 

[eggbert420]

Around here, they usually last until thanksgiving.

 

[CheyenneMae21]

2 years for a tom and 3 for a hen

 

[R2elk]

Hi I was wondering what is the normal life span of a turkey?

That depends on what variety it is. Broad breasted turkeys were developed to grow fast to provide a east source of meat. They can have limited life spans.

Heritage turkeys can have lengthy lives. I had a Bourbon Red tom that lived until he was 11 years old and had his life shortened due to a predator deciding to eat him for Thanksgiving. I currently have a Blue Slate hen that is 9 years old and her daughter is 8 years old. I expect both to be around next year.

I have read of at least one person that had a heritage turkey that lived to be 15. I also had a wild turkey that came to visit for 7 years before she stopped coming back due to unknown reasons but it may well be that she died. Seven years for a wild turkey is a long time with all the things that can shorten their lives.