Chicken vs. Turkey — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
A chicken is a small domesticated fowl used for meat and eggs, while a turkey is a larger bird, native to North America, often consumed during festive occasions.
Difference Between Chicken and Turkey
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Chickens are domesticated fowls that are a part of the Gallus genus. They are widely kept for their meat and eggs. Turkeys, on the other hand, belong to the Meleagris genus and are native to North America. They are especially recognized for their consumption during Thanksgiving in the United States.
Chickens are generally smaller in size, often weighing between 1.5 to 8 pounds depending on the breed. Turkeys are much larger, with domesticated turkeys typically weighing anywhere from 10 to 70 pounds. The notable size difference between chicken and turkey affects their culinary uses.
A chicken's lifespan is usually shorter than that of a turkey. While chickens can live for 5 to 10 years, turkeys might live up to 10 years or more in the right conditions. Both birds, however, are often harvested for meat long before they reach their maximum age.
In terms of behavior, chickens are often seen as more docile and can be found in various breeds worldwide. Turkeys are more social and can display aggressive behavior, especially the males, known as toms. Turkeys are also characterized by their unique gobbling sound, while chickens cluck.
From a culinary perspective, chicken meat is lean, tender, and has a mild flavor, suitable for various dishes. Turkey meat is also lean but has a slightly richer flavor, especially the dark meat. Turkeys are often the centerpiece of significant meals, such as Thanksgiving, due to their size and cultural significance.
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Comparison Chart
Genus
Gallus
Meleagris
Average Weight
1.5 to 8 pounds
10 to 70 pounds (domesticated)
Lifespan
5 to 10 years
Up to 10 years or more
Sound
Cluck
Gobble
Cultural Significance
Consumed regularly worldwide
Associated with Thanksgiving in the U.S.
Compare with Definitions
Chicken
A domesticated fowl kept for meat and eggs.
I bought a chicken from the local farm.
Turkey
A large bird native to North America, consumed on festive occasions.
Every Thanksgiving, we roast a turkey.
Chicken
A bird belonging to the genus Gallus.
The chicken is one of the most common domesticated animals.
Turkey
A country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
We're planning a trip to Turkey next summer.
Chicken
A young bird, especially one newly hatched.
The chicken followed its mother around the yard.
Turkey
A term for three consecutive strikes in bowling.
He scored a turkey in the last round, boosting his total score.
Chicken
The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), a subspecies of the red junglefowl, is a type of domesticated fowl, originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adult male bird, and younger male may be called a cockerel.
Turkey
A bird belonging to the genus Meleagris.
The wild turkey is an impressive sight in its natural habitat.
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one
Rationing was still in force and most people kept chickens
Turkey
Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye [ˈtyɾcije]), officially the Republic of Turkey, is a country bridging Europe and Asia. It shares borders with Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; the Black Sea to the north; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; Iraq to the southeast; Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south; and the Aegean Sea to the west.
Chicken
A game in which the first person to lose their nerve and withdraw from a dangerous situation is the loser
He was killed by a car after he lay in the road playing chicken
Turkey
A country comprising the whole of the Anatolian peninsula in western Asia, with a small portion in south-eastern Europe to the west of Istanbul; population 78,700,000 (estimated 2015); official language, Turkish; capital, Ankara.
Chicken
Cowardly
I was too chicken to go to court
Turkey
A large North American bird (Meleagris gallopavo) that has brownish plumage and a bare wattled head and neck and is widely domesticated for food.
Chicken
Withdraw from or fail in something through lack of nerve
The referee chickened out of giving a penalty
Turkey
The flesh of this bird, used as food.
Chicken
A common domesticated fowl (Gallus domesticus) widely raised for meat and eggs and believed to be descended from the jungle fowl G. gallus.
Turkey
A related bird (Meleagris ocellata syn. Agriocharis ocellata) of Mexico and Central America, brilliantly colored and having eyelike spots on its tail.
Chicken
Any of various similar or related birds.
Turkey
A person considered inept or undesirable.
Chicken
The flesh of the chicken, used as food.
Turkey
A failure, especially a failed theatrical production or movie.
Chicken
(Slang) A coward.
Turkey
(Sports) Three consecutive strikes in bowling.
Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
Turkey
The guinea fowl (family Numididae).
Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
Turkey
(countable) A bird in the genus Meleagris with a fan-shaped tail and wattled neck, especially the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo, now domesticated).
Chicken
Afraid; cowardly.
Turkey
(uncountable) The flesh or meat of this bird eaten as food.
All week after Thanksgiving, I had turkey sandwiches for lunch.
Chicken
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve
Chickened out at the last moment.
Turkey
(countable) With a distinguishing word: a bird resembling the Meleagris gallopavo (for example, the brush turkey or bush turkey (Alectura lathami), and the water turkey (Anhinga anhinga)).
Chicken
(countable) A domesticated species of junglefowl (usually, Gallus gallus; sometimes, Gallus gallus domesticus or Gallus domesticus), especially so-called when young.
Turkey
An act of throwing three strikes in a row.
Chicken
(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.
Turkey
A patient feigning symptoms; a person faking illness or injury; a malingerer.
Chicken
(archaic) The young of any bird; a chick.
Turkey
A pack carried by a lumberman; a bindle; also, a large travel bag, a suitcase.
Chicken
A coward.
Turkey
A failure.
That film was a turkey.
Chicken
A young or inexperienced person.
Turkey
A foolish or inept person.
The turkey cut in front of me and then berated me for running into him.
Chicken
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
Turkey
A country in the southeast of Europe and southwest of Asia.
Chicken
The game of dare.
Turkey
Any large American gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus Meleagris, especially the North American wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and the domestic turkey, which was probably derived from the Mexican wild turkey, but had been domesticated by the Indians long before the discovery of America.
Chicken
A confrontational game in which the participants move toward each other at high speed (usually in automobiles); the player who turns first to avoid colliding into the other is the chicken (that is, the loser).
Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose.
Turkey
Large gallinaceous bird with fan-shaped tail; widely domesticated for food
Chicken
A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
Turkey
A Eurasian republic in Asia Minor and the Balkans; achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1923
Chicken
A kilogram of cocaine.
Turkey
A person who does something thoughtless or annoying;
Some joker is blocking the driveway
Chicken
Plural of chick
Turkey
Flesh of large domesticated fowl usually roasted
Chicken
(informal) Cowardly.
Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.
Turkey
An event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual;
The first experiment was a real turkey
The meeting was a dud as far as new business was concerned
Chicken
(intransitive) To avoid a situation one is afraid of.
Turkey
Wild turkey of Central America and northern South America
Chicken
A young bird or fowl, esp. a young barnyard fowl.
Turkey
A term for a failed movie or theatrical production.
That film was a total turkey; it bombed at the box office.
Chicken
A young person; a child; esp. a young woman; a maiden; same as spring chicken.
Chicken
The flesh of a chicken used for food
Chicken
A domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
Chicken
A person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
Chicken
A foolhardy competition; a dangerous activity that is continued until one competitor becomes afraid and stops
Chicken
Easily frightened
Chicken
A term for a cowardly person.
He didn't want to be called a chicken, so he took on the challenge.
Chicken
A dish prepared from this bird.
We're having roast chicken for dinner tonight.
Common Curiosities
Can you find chickens and turkeys on every continent?
While chickens are found worldwide, turkeys are native to North America but are now farmed in various places.
Which bird is smaller, chicken or turkey?
The chicken is generally smaller than the turkey.
Are chickens and turkeys both poultry?
Yes, both chickens and turkeys are classified as poultry.
Which bird has a richer flavor, chicken or turkey?
Turkey meat has a slightly richer flavor compared to chicken.
Is the term 'chicken' ever used metaphorically?
Yes, 'chicken' can be used to describe someone who is cowardly.
Is there a country named Turkey?
Yes, Turkey is a country located between Europe and Asia.
Do both chickens and turkeys produce eggs for consumption?
Yes, both chicken and turkey eggs are edible, but chicken eggs are more commonly consumed.
Which bird is primarily associated with Thanksgiving in the U.S.?
The turkey is the bird traditionally associated with Thanksgiving.
Do chickens and turkeys make similar sounds?
No, chickens cluck, while turkeys are known for their gobbling sound.
Which bird lives longer on average, chicken or turkey?
Turkeys generally have a longer lifespan compared to chickens.
What's the significance of the term 'turkey' in bowling?
In bowling, a 'turkey' refers to three consecutive strikes.
Which bird, chicken or turkey, is more aggressive?
Turkeys, especially males, can display more aggressive behavior compared to chickens.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
