Turkeys, do they lay eggs without toms like chickens do?

Filed under: Poultry |

raising turkeys
Image by doug_wertman
After a long day of gliding and searching for carrion, Turkey Vultures begin to settle in for the evening in Beaver Shores, AR.

The Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, is a bird found throughout most of the Americas. It also known in some North American regions as the Turkey Buzzard (or just Buzzard), and in some areas of the Caribbean as the John Crow or Carrion Crow.[2] One of three species in the genus Cathartes, in the family Cathartidae, the Turkey Vulture is the most widespread of the New World vultures,[3] ranging from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts.[1] A large bird, the turkey vulture, has a wingspan of 170–183 cm (67–72 in), a length of 64–81 cm (25–32 in), and weight of 0.85–2.26 kg (1.9–5 lb).[4][5][6][7] It has dark brown to black plumage; a featherless, purplish-red head and neck; and a short, hooked, ivory-colored beak. Its life expectancy in the wild ranges upward of 16 years, with a captive life span of over 30 years being possible.[8][9]

The Turkey Vulture is a scavenger and feeds almost exclusively on carrion.[10] It finds its meals using its keen vision and sense of smell, flying low enough to detect the gasses produced by the beginnings of the process of decay in dead animals.[10] In flight, it uses thermals to move through the air, flapping its wings infrequently. It roosts in large community groups. Lacking a syrinx—the vocal organ of birds—its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses.[11] It nests in caves, hollow trees, or thickets. Each year it generally raises two chicks, which it feeds by regurgitation.[12] It has very few natural predators.[13] In the United States of America, the vulture receives legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.[14]

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Vulture

Question by Anne E: Turkeys, do they lay eggs without toms like chickens do?
We just got our first two turkey chicks and are wondering if they will lay without a tom. Any helpful hints on raising turkeys would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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2 Responses to Turkeys, do they lay eggs without toms like chickens do?

  1. They lay eggs with out a tom, just like chickens. ^_^

    I have a tom turkey poult now and here are some helpful hints:
    * Hold them often
    * Love them and they will love you back
    * Keep them as pets, not for food (its wrong to kill pets)
    * Change the water/feed more often than needed, the turkey babies like to poo in the feeders/waterers
    * Socialize you babies like no other animal. If they are going to be pets, and not gobble at everything introduce them to lots of birds and anything that wouldn’t hurt them
    * They really like toys, anything that has food on it or when they get a treat or reward

    Le’me know if I can help some more,
    ~Whittni

    Whittni
    November 27, 2011 at 7:35 am
    Reply

  2. No they do not lay eggs like chickens but it all depends on what species ,but the majority do need a Tom , to fetch them into laying.

    They like plenty of space to wander in a good poultry feed and they love to peck at grass.

    klm

    wacky
    November 27, 2011 at 8:07 am
    Reply

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