However, commercial turkeys have very strong leg muscles and are excellent jumpers. Commercial turkeys are much bigger than wild turkeys. Some of the males used for breeding can weigh up to 85 pounds. If the sound of a plane or other loud noise frightens them, they might crowd along a fence, climbing on top of each other. Most commercial turkeys are now raised inside, and piling is one reason why.
Many people think turkeys are dumber than chickens or vice versa.
Beyer says there is no way to assess this, but if an unfamiliar person approaches a group of turkeys, the turkeys will come up and gather around the newcomer. Chickens will not approach people and will try to avoid people if they can. A common story is that turkeys will look skyward during a rainstorm causing them to inhale water and drown. Beyer said this, and other turkey myths, have come about because turkeys are more difficult to raise than other poultry. Turkeys grow more rapidly, live longer and are more susceptible to disease than other farm birds, so there is more opportunity for things to go wrong.