Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:32:18 +0000

From Cluck to Cold Trail: The Surprising Life of a Baby Turkey When most people hear the phrase “baby turkey,” they likely imagine a small, clucking chick pecking at the barnyard floors. But the life of a baby turkey—Meleagris gallopavo domestica—is far more fascinating than its early clucks might suggest. In “From Cluck to Cold Trail,” we explore the unexpected journey of a young turkey’s life, from its first fragile steps to its wild migration across forests and fields—a journey shaped by instinct, adaptation, and surprising resilience. ### The Humble Beginnings: Early Life of the Turkey Pelt Born in early spring, a brood of baby turkeys—called poulets when female and toms when male (though juveniles are simply “poults”)—weigh less than a pound at birth. Their eyes open wide, scanning for danger and movement under the protective watch of their mother. Unlike chickens, turkeys rely heavily on visual cues and social learning, forming tight-knit family groups during these early days.