"Adopt a turkey?" you ask. Yes, especially since November is Adopt a Turkey month. A turkey is an unconventional pet; however, they can be as affectionate and loving towards their humans as a dog or cat would be.
Turkeys are not loners. They are social animals, so they prefer to be with other turkeys, or chickens, sheep, horses, cows, donkeys, and goats.
There are some caveats to consider before getting a turkey for a pet. First, you do need some backyard space for your feathered friend. Turkeys need to roam, forage, and, yes, fly! A male turkey (called a tom or gobbler) can weigh 11-24 pounds and be 39-49 inches in length. A female turkey (called a hen) will be smaller at 5.5-11.9 pounds and 30-37 inches long. It's suggested that you will need a yard that is 90 square feet. Just like dogs and cats, turkeys need to be protected from bad weather, so you'll need an enclosure that's at least 6 feet by 8 feet.
Now that your turkey is tucked away in a cozy place to live, let's talk about a meal plan. You can feed a turkey commercial game bird or poultry feed. The amount depends on the age of the bird. They also enjoy snacks like bananas, tomatoes, melons, and seeds (pumpkin and sunflower — not apple seeds or peach pits). Get more information about feeding your gobbler or hen here: what to feed your turkey., opens a new window
If owning a pet turkey would not work for your family, there is still a way you can adopt a turkey but not have to worry about taking it home. You can symbolically adopt a turkey by donating to an animal or poultry sanctuary that takes care of chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other farm birds or abused and abandoned farm animals. Sanctuaries allow these animals to live out their lives in a protected and safe environment. Farm Sanctuary, opens a new window is just one of a number of poultry sanctuaries you can help support by adopting a turkey.
This November, give a turkey a good home with you or at a rescue where they can gobble and waddle happily about!
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