Raising turkeys for meat production requires careful monitoring of their growth to ensure optimal health and productivity. A Turkey Weight Gain Per Week Chart is an essential tool for farmers, homesteaders, and poultry enthusiasts to track the development of their birds. This guide provides a detailed week-by-week breakdown of turkey growth, factors affecting weight gain, feeding strategies, and best practices for maximizing meat yield.
Table of Contents
Why Monitoring Turkey Weight Gain is Important
Tracking weight gain helps:
- Ensure turkeys are growing at a healthy rate
- Detect health issues early
- Adjust feed rations for optimal nutrition
- Plan for processing (slaughter weight is typically reached between 14-22 weeks)
- Compare growth against breed standards
Average Turkey Weight Gain Per Week
Turkey growth varies by breed, sex, and diet. The two main categories are:
- Broad-Breasted Turkeys – Fast-growing, bred for meat (e.g., Broad-Breasted White, Broad-Breasted Bronze).
- Heritage Turkeys – Slower-growing, leaner, and more active (e.g., Bourbon Red, Narragansett).
Below is a general weekly weight gain chart for Broad-Breasted turkeys (the most common meat turkeys):
Turkey Weight Gain Per Week (Broad-Breasted Varieties)
| Week | Average Weight (lbs) | Weekly Gain (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.25 – 0.5 | 0.25 – 0.5 |
| 2 | 0.75 – 1.5 | 0.5 – 1.0 |
| 3 | 2.0 – 3.0 | 1.0 – 1.5 |
| 4 | 3.5 – 5.0 | 1.5 – 2.0 |
| 5 | 6.0 – 8.0 | 2.0 – 3.0 |
| 6 | 9.0 – 12.0 | 3.0 – 4.0 |
| 7 | 13.0 – 16.0 | 4.0 – 5.0 |
| 8 | 17.0 – 21.0 | 4.0 – 5.0 |
| 9 | 22.0 – 26.0 | 5.0 – 6.0 |
| 10 | 27.0 – 32.0 | 5.0 – 6.0 |
| 11 | 33.0 – 38.0 | 5.0 – 6.0 |
| 12 | 39.0 – 45.0 | 5.0 – 7.0 |
| 13 | 46.0 – 52.0 | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| 14 | 53.0 – 60.0 | 7.0 – 8.0 |
| 15 | 61.0 – 70.0 | 8.0 – 10.0 |
| 16 | 71.0 – 80.0 | 10.0 – 12.0 |
| 17 | 81.0 – 90.0 | 10.0 – 12.0 |
| 18 | 91.0 – 100.0 | 10.0 – 12.0 |
| 19 | 101.0 – 110.0 | 10.0 – 12.0 |
| 20 | 111.0 – 120.0 | 10.0 – 12.0 |
| 21 | 121.0 – 130.0 | 10.0 – 12.0 |
| 22 | 131.0 – 140.0 | 10.0 – 12.0 |
Key Observations:
- Males (Toms) grow faster and larger than females (Hens).
- Most commercial turkeys are processed between 14-22 weeks (when they reach 15-40 lbs, depending on breed).
- After Week 16, weight gain slows slightly, but turkeys continue to bulk up.
Factors Affecting Turkey Weight Gain
1. Breed Differences
- Broad-Breasted Whites: Reach 25-40 lbs (toms) by 18-20 weeks.
- Heritage Breeds: Slower growth, reaching 14-25 lbs (toms) by 28-30 weeks.
2. Nutrition & Feed Quality
- Starter Feed (0-8 weeks): 28-30% protein for poults.
- Grower Feed (9-14 weeks): 20-24% protein.
- Finisher Feed (15+ weeks): 16-20% protein.
- Free-range turkeys may grow slower but develop leaner meat.
3. Health & Disease Management
- Coccidiosis, respiratory infections, and parasites can stunt growth.
- Vaccinations and clean housing improve weight gain.
4. Environmental Conditions
- Temperature stress (too hot or cold) reduces feed efficiency.
- Overcrowding leads to competition and slower growth.
5. Sex Differences
- Toms (Males): Weigh 30-50% more than hens at maturity.
- Hens (Females): Reach slaughter weight earlier (14-18 weeks).
Feeding Strategies for Optimal Weight Gain
1. High-Protein Starter Feed (0-8 Weeks)
- 28-30% protein for rapid muscle development.
- Crumbled feed for easy digestion.
2. Gradual Transition to Grower Feed (9-14 Weeks)
- 20-24% protein to support continued growth.
- Pelleted feed improves consumption.
3. Finisher Feed (15+ Weeks) for Muscle & Fat Balance
- 16-20% protein to avoid excessive fat deposition.
- Free-choice feeding ensures consistent weight gain.
4. Supplements for Enhanced Growth
- Probiotics improve gut health.
- Electrolytes in water during heat stress.
- Grit for digestion if turkeys forage.
When to Process Turkeys Based on Weight
- Hens (Females): 14-18 weeks (12-20 lbs)
- Toms (Males): 18-22 weeks (25-40 lbs)
- Heritage Breeds: 24-30 weeks (14-25 lbs)
Note: Overfeeding can lead to leg problems and heart stress in fast-growing breeds.
Here are 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about turkeys, covering their biology, behavior, and cultural significance:
1. What do turkeys eat?
Turkeys are omnivores and eat a varied diet, including seeds, nuts, insects, berries, and small reptiles. Domestic turkeys are often fed commercial poultry feed.
2. How long do turkeys live?
Wild turkeys live 3–5 years on average due to predators, while domesticated turkeys can live up to 10 years if not raised for meat.
3. Why do turkeys gobble?
Male turkeys (toms) gobble to attract females (hens) and establish dominance. They also make other sounds like clucks and purrs.
4. Can turkeys fly?
Wild turkeys can fly short distances (up to 55 mph in bursts) to escape predators, but domesticated turkeys are usually too heavy to fly.
5. What’s the difference between wild and domestic turkeys?
Wild turkeys are leaner, more agile, and have darker meat, while domestic turkeys are bred to be larger with more breast meat and are usually white-feathered.
6. Why are turkeys associated with Thanksgiving?
Turkeys became a Thanksgiving staple in the U.S. due to their abundance in early America and historical references to wildfowl at harvest celebrations.
7. Do turkeys have good eyesight?
Yes! Turkeys have excellent daytime vision (including color perception) and a nearly 360-degree field of view, helping them spot predators.
8. How fast can turkeys run?
Turkeys can run up to 20–25 mph, helping them escape threats.
9. Do turkeys really drown in the rain?
No, this is a myth. While turkeys might look up during rain (possibly leading to water entering their nostrils), they don’t drown from it.
10. Are male and female turkeys different?
Yes! Males (toms) are larger, have colorful wattles and snoods (fleshy face growths), and fan their tails. Females (hens) are smaller and duller in color.