The thing about wild turkeys is that they have multiple mates for life. A male turkey mates with several female turkeys in any given season. But it doesn’t work the same way with females. A female turkey usually has a single male that she mates with throughout the season.
Then the female lays the first nest, which consists of many eggs. And if for some reason, this nest doesn’t hatch, the female lays another nest. Once the nest has been laid, the male turkey moves on to the other females. This is how wild turkey families live. But do you know how long do wild turkeys live?
If not, then let’s find out. In this article, I have discussed some of the most interesting facts about wild turkeys. And the lifespan of the wild turkey is something that you should know if you’re fond of the wild turkey species.
Wild Turkeys: The past and present
The wild turkey animal is an indication of festivity in most parts of the United States of America. It marks the celebration of Thanksgiving. In fact, the native tribes of America considered the wild turkey species as icons of abundance and fertility. So back then, the wild turkey animal was used in sacrificial ceremonies for gratitude and fertility.
The traditional Creek tribes of today still practice their turkey dance during the yearly fire festival. In this tradition, they use turkey feathers to perform the ritual. And in the ancient culture of Mexico, wild turkeys were regarded as sacred birds. While the Toltecs, Aztecs, and Mayans treated them as jeweled birds due to their appearance.
Today, the wild turkey is an animal used to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving in not only America but the rest of the world too. The meat of the bird is one of the most popular poultry items in the United States of America. It is universally cooked to celebrate important events such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
The thing about turkey meat is that it is highly nutritional and has a very distinct taste. So many Americans also consume the animal as their daily meals.
5 Fascinating Facts About Wild Turkeys
How long do wild turkeys live?
This question can be correctly answered by poultry owners. They have enough experience and knowledge about the wild turkey species. So these are the people that are capable enough to understand the lives of turkeys.
The lifespan of wild turkey primarily relies on the kind of care the birds receive. You should know that a wild turkey has little survival chances. So how the caretaker manages to raise it decides the animal’s mortality rate.
Weather
One of the most important facts about wild turkeys is that their survival depends on the weather. The better the weather, the longer they’re able to survive. But if the climatic or other environmental conditions are not ideal, then that can prove to be detrimental. In fact, wild turkeys’ survival rate can decrease by at least 10% if the weather is problematic.
Year Count
A female wild turkey can live up to 2 to 3 years. And a male wild turkey lives for nothing less than 6 to 7 years. But when turkeys are hunted, they can survive for not more than 3 to 4 years. In their natural habitat, the wild turkey species are able to live for about a decade once they reach adulthood.
How to identify the age of wild turkeys?
Now that you know how long do wild turkeys live, it’s time to find out how to determine their age. If you’re a poultry owner or turkey enthusiast, this job is pretty easy for you. But if you’re not, then you must continue reading.
Juvenile
When it comes to the age of the wild turkey species, there are certain terms used for classification. A wild turkey animal that is at least a year old is known as a juvenile. Male juvenile turkeys are known as “jakes.” While female juvenile turkeys are “jennies.”
Poults
Poult is a term given to baby turkeys. These are the ones that are newly hatched. So they are in their initial few months. When the female wild turkey hits adulthood, it’s called a “hen.” While male wild turkeys are known as “gobblers” or “toms.”
These are some of the most interesting and important facts about wild turkeys. The terminologies help in not only identifying the turkeys’ age. But they also assist in managing the birds in poultries.
That’s a wrap!
So here was the answer to the most frequently asked question, how long do wild turkeys live? The wild turkey species and their history are essential facts about the bird that you must know. Because they mark the beginning of many festivals not just in America but throughout the globe.
And as far as hunters are concerned, knowing a little more about your game is always a better idea. It helps in developing efficient strategies to improve hunting skills and success.
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