Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

I see many of you complain about many turkeys being unreliable as mothers. I wonder if its a side effect of domestication.

Case in point: Russian researchers working with animals at a fur farm, have developed a domestic fox through selective breeding. After 7 generations of breeding animals that were frieldliest: their colour changed, developing mottled black and white; and their voice changed as they developed a bark. Clearly something with being friendly changed the brain in other ways as well. I've seen it on CBC The Nature of Things, and read various articles. Here's something recent. http://www.fastcompany.com/3037451/pet- ... icated-fox

Obviously domestic animals were bred to intensify certain traits, but we also got some good or bad side effects.

In the wild a turkey will lay a huge clutch of eggs and most young will not survive. I tend to think with the turkeys that we don't breed for the strongest survival traits. e.g. we may save a poult that gets lost in the wet grass but in the wild only the strongest will keep up with mother. When I hatch in the incubator I mark the ones that hatch fast and in a 24 hr window. I keep the others but grow for processing only. I will only breed those fast hatchers. I'm noticing that my girls aren't especially vicious when I check them. Is it because I'm familiar with them or are they just less protective - I don't know. Interesting topic.

I have always noticed with the chickens, really good sensible mothers have good daughters. I would think it should follow with turkeys. I noticed as well with the wild turkeys they seem to raise the young in groups, so more eyes on the babies. I never had turkeys but I keep hearing that they are a little short on brain power lol, I will leave that opinion up to you turkey breeders. I want a turkey, I like the Royal Palms, I think they look nice as far as turkeys go. ;p

Love my turkeys. First year girls seem to be a bit clueless and I was told by a well know breeder it's a bit like giving a 10yr old a baby and no instruction!