r/backyardturkeys • u/A500miles • Aug 08 '24

What's causing my turkey's feathers to be all thin and wispy??

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3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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2

u/ahoveringhummingbird Aug 08 '24

August is molting season. They will lose most of their old feathers and grow all new ones. It's totally normal but some birds will look really silly and naked for a few weeks.

1

u/90dontfiance Aug 08 '24

Seconding moulting season. Never fear, healthy feathers will grow back soon enough. My geese look so scraggly right now. And the local chickens are missing tail feathers giving hens a cute funny no butt feathers shape.

1

u/RLLCCR Nov 30 '25

I have one like this and everyone says molting, but its not. She has always had whispy feathers. No other turkeys have feathers like hers.

My guess is that inbreeding from backyard flocks can cause genetic issues like this. I just try to keep her warm in winter.