Imprinting

[Rwhitt]

We had a random female turkey show up at our place last week. Not sure what breed. We 1st thought wild turkey, but she isn't afraid of humans at all! In fact she's taken to following me around everytime I'm outside. The turkeys I raised from chicks don't even do this. We called around our neighbors and none of them had a turkey so I guess she's decided this is her home now. How fast do turkeys imprint and do they do it when they're grown?

 

[R2elk]

Not sure what breed.

The breed is Turkey. Post some pictures and someone may be able to identify the variety.

We 1st thought wild turkey, but she isn't afraid of humans at all! In fact she's taken to following me around everytime I'm outside.

Depending on the location many wild turkeys are very familiar to being around people and being fed treats.

It may well be a domestic turkey that was imprinted as a poult. Once imprinted they don't get over it.

How fast do turkeys imprint and do they do it when they're grown?

Poults imprint very easily and very quickly. Adults don't imprint but can be tamed and trained through familiarization and treats and repeated routines but they still understand that there is a difference between them and what taught them.

Poults that are imprinted don't understand that there is a difference between them and whatever species imprinted them.

 

[Rwhitt]

Pictures for reference

 

[R2elk]

Looks like a Bronze hen.

 

[Pearlescent]

She must’ve joined your flock! What a cool and rare occurrence. Maybe she was abandoned?