Why are turkeys more fragile

[chickadoodles]

Can someone please tell me why turkeys are considered more fragile than chickens like for transporting them?
Thank you

 

[erinszoo]

From what I understand (I do raise and breed them) turkeys were originally native to warm regions. The poults are susceptible to the cold more than anything. Until they are fully feathered they can't stand cold at all. When shipping them it is difficult to insure that temps will remain warm enough consistently to keep them from dying. Even the babies we've grown at home and not shipped have been susceptible to the cold.

 

[chickadoodles]

Hi erinszoo,
Thank you for your help. I have been doing some research on turkey's online. As I have been wanting to raise and breed them. I also read that many breeders will not transport their birds to shows because it is to stressful on the birds. And I did not understand that either. Not that I will be trying to transport grown birds, I was just wondering why.