This Baby Turkey Was Raised by Ducks and Now Acts Just Like One
They say you become like the company you keep, and this little turkey is living proof. Instead of growing up with other turkeys, the tiny poult (that's what a baby turkey is called) was raised by a family of ducks, and now she happily follows them around the pond, swimming right behind them as if she were one of their own.
Watch as the ducks keep a close eye on what they obviously consider one of their babies. Most passersby probably wouldn't even notice that the little one bringing up the rear is actually a turkey. The adorable video has viewers smiling over the tiny bird who looks different from the rest of her family but is loved just the same.
@jess.campbel1 Something about sitting by the water just watching the ducks ducking their lives away. #duck#farmlife#homestead
suara asli - adreena diajeng - adreena diajeng
Jess joked in the caption, "Shh... no one tell her she's a turkey!" which completely made us laugh. It definitely doesn't bother the baby, and the ducks don't seem to mind, either!
Related: Barn Cat Has a 'Turkey Entourage' That Follows Him Everywhere
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Can Baby Turkeys Really Be Raised by Ducks? Here's What Experts Say
While ducks and turkeys are very different birds, it's not unheard of for young birds to imprint on members of another species if they're raised together. Imprinting happens shortly after a bird hatches, when it forms a strong bond with the first animal, or even person, it sees. This is how they learn who to follow, where to find food, and how to stay safe.
According to Backyard Chickens, turkey poults are known for imprinting on humans, which can become a problem because they don't learn how to behave like turkeys. The same concern applies when they imprint on ducks. As the site explains, "Letting any sort of waterfowl raise a turkey/chicken is a big no-no."
The biggest risk comes when the duck family heads to the water. Ducklings are built for swimming almost immediately after hatching, but turkey poults are not. If a young turkey follows its duck family into the water, it could drown.
Backyard Chickens also notes that after swimming, a mother duck may settle down with her babies while still wet. The ducklings can handle it, but "the poult could chill and die."
As adorable as this baby turkey's duck family is, her natural instincts will begin to take over as she matures. It probably won't be long until she starts acting more like the turkey she was born to be.
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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM.