the blue slate turkey is a heritage turkey breed descended from domesticated wild turkeys from mexico. blue slates are large (females are around 14 pounds, and males around 20-25), but do not reach the same size as commercially bred turkeys; they are usually admired for their plumage. although these turkeys can be slate blue, black, and white, only the slate blue color is acceptable for bird showing standards.

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a mother wild turkey guards over her poults. although baby turkeys are able to leave the nest almost immediately after hatching, they are still small and in need of protection by their mother. mother turkeys have been documented fighting off hawks and other predators to protect their young, using their wings and the sharp spurs on the backs of their legs.

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sometimes like. i feel like ben franklin was actually on to something about turkeys being the national bird. we bash on turkeys all the time but if you actually look at them they’re really beautiful birds

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the broad breasted white is the most widely commercially used turkey; they are bred exclusively for meat production. these turkeys are so heavy that they mainly are bred through artificial insemination, as they cannot typically naturally mate, and are also flightless. even if spared from slaughter, broad breasted whites typically only live to around two years old; they suffer from obesity-related issues such as heart disease. they have an incredibly fast growth rate, and typically reach 35-40 pounds.

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although baby turkeys are precocial and leave the nest almost immediately after hatching, they still rely on their mother’s protection. turkey hens are fiercely protective of their young, and will fight predators such as raccoons and hawks to keep them out of harm’s way.

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