Though frozen turkeys reside in your grocery store all year, they become the main attraction during the final two months. In addition to growing slower, a heritage turkey is also more active, which results in less fat. If you are raising the broad breasted white turkeys, roosts are not important. External parasites should be controlled by use of diatomaceous earth powder. The Broad Breasted White turkey is a meat breed. Humans usually reproduce turkeys for meat only. Food is one of the basic requirements for turkeys. They grow so quickly that their hearts eventually just give out. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. If youve purchased a turkey from the grocery store in the last 60 years, theres a 99% chance you bought a Broad Breasted White turkey. Can you do veggies and melons? These turkeys dont weigh much as hens weigh 10 pounds while toms weigh 17 pounds. Read some more information about this domestic turkey breed below. The 3 Stages to Successfully Raising Turkeys on Pasture, How to Butcher a Turkey For the Freezer or Thanksgiving, 12 Odd Tips on Raising Heritage Breed Turkeys You Need to Know, Beginners Guide to Raising Turkeys in Your Backyard for Meat and Profit, About White Holland Turkeys: A Rapidly Declining Heritage Variety, Turkey Anatomy: Revealing the Mysteries of Snood, Caruncle, Wattle, and More, Black Turkey: Great Meat Producers for Small Farm, Beginners Guide to Raising Turkey From Poults in Your Backyard, About Midget White Turkeys: Unusually Small, but Charming Birds, 9 Reasons Why Raising Turkeys Might Not Be Right For Some Homesteaders, Bronze Turkey: The Domesticated Wild Turkey, About Slate Turkeys: Heritage and Endangered Meat Producers, About Bourbon Red Turkeys: Distinguished Meat Birds, About Royal Palm Turkeys: Not All Turkeys Are Just for Meat, About Narragansett Turkeys: An Older And Showier Turkey Variety, The Shortcuts to Raising Turkeys for Profit. Feed your birds with good and nutritious food. If you purchase turkey poults from a feed store and want to start a breeding project, first verify the breed. Best 23 Tips, Can Dogs Eat Corn? The poults or baby birds are generally of yellow color. Turkeys may start out antibiotic-free, but farmers may medicate an entire flock if a few birds get sick. Bourbon Reds originated in Bourbon, Kentucky, from crossing Buff, Standard Bronze, and Holland White. And currently the breed is one of the most popular heritage turkey breeds in the United States. The conservation status of broad-breasted white turkeys is unknown as they are mainly domesticated and their population is stable presently. About Bourbon Red Turkeys: Distinguished Meat Birds Large Breed Turkey Additional Care Considerations They have a high feed to meat conversion ratio reaching maturity quickly than other common breeds. These enormous turkeys generally are for meat production. And they can not breed easily mainly because of the bulf of their hefty breasts. The idea was to get a breed that could mature fast and offer much meat. This does not influence our choices. You are using an out of date browser. A female broad-breasted white turkey is referred to as a hen. Broad Breasted White turkeys require careful care and management to stay healthy and productive. White turkeys also need fresh and clean water to drink. Homesteads and small farms keep Broad Breasted White turkeys, but heritage turkeys are more reliable for small-scale farming. They are susceptible to cold especially the poults and you will need to confine them in a heated coop. White turkeys are docile creatures that appreciate humans who treat them humanely. Although in the 20th century, the breed split to become the Broad Breasted Bronze and the Standard Bronze, the two are still typically referred to simply as the Bronze. Broad-breasted white turkeys are the most common type of turkeys used for meat production. These are the things that should be done to meet their requirements and ensure a happy and healthy flock. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. They generally cant flight and prone to health problems associated with being overweight, because of their size (due to excess muscle). 11 Turkey Breeds You NEED to Know About if You Plan to Raise Turkeys Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. Once the eggs hatch, the poults will need a warm, dry, and safe environment to grow and develop. The now-ubiquitous Broad Breasted White can weigh 38 pounds at just 18 weeks old. Generally known as a chick, the baby broad-breasted white turkey is called poult or turkeyling. In the early 1900s, turkey breeders in the United States began experimenting with breeding different strains of White Holland turkeys to create a larger, more productive breed. Free-range turkeys can supplement their diet with grass, insects, and other natural foods, while confined turkeys may require more careful monitoring to ensure they receive all the nutrients they need. This will discourage ammonia building up and keep them free from respiratory issues. Dindon rouge des Ardennes Turkey Characteristics, Start Slate Turkey Farming Business For High Profits, Turkey Feathers Colors Of Different Turkey Breeds, Start Profitable Black Turkey Farming Business, Turkey Breeds: Top 10 Breeds for High Profit, Turkey Diseases And Problems You Should Know, Can Dogs Eat Peanuts? Some farmers will go ahead and supplement their diet with dried mealworms or scrambled eggs. The birds large breasts weigh the bird down, and the full-grown turkeys seem off balance when they waddle around. What Does a Chicken Coop Need for Winter? This poultry article is a stub. Why do heritage turkeys for Thanksgiving cost more per pound than standard birds? People rear various breeds of turkey for meat, especially for thanksgiving occasions. Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). These birds have shorter breast bones and legs than other breeds and are unable to reproduce naturally. } It was developed in the University of Massachusetts in 1960. This is the reason these little critters are fed on a gamebird feed because it contains 28-30% protein. Their largest population is in the United States. No, they notoriously can not mate naturally, an the hens must be artificially inseminated. You can keep her as a pet but be prepared for your heart to ache when she does pass. A 0.5-acre area is enough for a dozen turkeys in a fenced-in region. Most of them have slatted walls made of narrow strips of wood or metal with good ventilation systems, whereas some have concrete walls with no windows so that the breeders can use artificial lighting to enhance production. Top 7 Potential Risks, Why Pet Insurance is Worth the Investment, Can Dogs Eat Almonds? Roost bars are necessary because they birds love to roost just like chickens. Due to its popularity, domestic breeds are found everywhere. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. The Humane Society and PETA have repeatedly warned consumers about the inhumane conditions on industrial turkey farms. The broad-breasted white turkey is prone to many health diseases, such as heart diseases, joint damage, and respiratory failure. Also, try not to wear or carry objects that are bright blue or red, similar to the color displays on a mature tom's head. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. How Do Cats Show Affection? Avoid loud noises, sudden movements, and overcrowding, which can cause stress and lead to health problems. if (width <= 900) { The broad-breasted white turkey is a poultry animal that belongs to the class Aves in phylum Chordata. Why is antibiotic-free important? Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. The perfect temperature is important because, in a high-temperature environment, the metabolic rate of broad-breasted whites will become high which may make them susceptible to heat stress. That means packing fewer birds into a larger area, resulting in less profit per acre. The broad-breasted white turkeys can fly but only to a short distance. }; Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. All animals and humans have hormones. However, the wood roosts should be strong enough because turkeys are big and heavy to support their weights. Heritage breed turkeys, like their wild relatives, have a natural tendency to cover large areas when foraging. Typically they are not able to reproduce, and their life span is naturally shorter. These birds demonstrate their masculine features as a sign of dominance and as a way of wooing females. Is this breed able to lay eggs for consumption? adElem.style.width = (rect.width) + 'px'; Hope you will find your answer. Featured Image Credit: Jennifer Yakey-Ault, Shutterstock. if ((_footer && _footer.getBoundingClientRect().top < 500)) { The broad-breasted white turkey is endemic to America but it can be found on every continent except Antarctica. I had a jake too who was the healthiest of the 3 and very slim for a BBB but he was killed by dogs this fall. Bronze turkeys stand 4 feet tall, with a 15 to 18-inch tail and a 6-foot wingspan. Provide enough feed to keep the birds satisfied, but avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to health problems such as obesity. Their legs and feet are grayish-white. The worse problems are heart failure and legs giving out due to the weight. These critters will not only add color but also ensure you have a reliable source of meat and those jumbo eggs for breakfast. Giant White Turkeys are broad-breasted birds and are very popular because of their size and white, easy-to-dress feathering. Youll also want to choose birds with a calm and docile temperament, as this can make breeding and handling easier. The flooring substrate usually consists of deep-litter, such as wood shavings. These birds generally reach slaughtering age within their 14 to 18 weeks of age. For now, feel free to continue reading. The Broad Breasted White turkeys are large sized birds and they have been bred for providing a meaty carcass with more breast meat than any other turkey breeds. Read on for more information on the breed and to determine whether it is a good fit for your farming operation. They can contract many diseases such as blackhead, avian influenza, aspergillosis, and coryza. Others must euthanize sick birds to keep the rest of the flock safe. These turkeys produce more meat than other breeds. These birds are social and will require good gifts and treats to make them happy. Keeping turkeys can require more care than keeping other poultry. When it comes to feeding Broad Breasted White turkeys, there are several important factors to consider. adElemSticky.style.height = rect.height + 'px';
Males are referred to as toms (stags in Europe), females are hens, and the chicks are called poults or turkeylings. Provide at least 14-16 hours of light per day, and make sure the lighting is evenly distributed throughout the housing area. Are Broad Breasted White Turkeys Good for Small-Scale Farming? Conditions on the truck are even worse than on the farm. var adElem = document.getElementById('vi-ad');
Then make a very good house for your birds. We were given two turkeys last year and never planned on butchering them. Bourbon Reds are relatively larger than many breeds of turkeys, which is what makes them more ideal for meat production. Theyre prone to joint problems, cardiac issues, skeletal weakness, and a limited immune response to pathogens. Is Broad Breasted White turkey farming profitable? A good, secure and comfortable housing is essential for the health and well-being of these birds, as it can help protect them from the elements, provide them with a safe and comfortable environment, and prevent the spread of disease. Before development of the breed, the Broad Breasted Bronze breed held the dominant position on the turkey market. Make sure they have feeders full of food and a good amount of water. Starting commercial production of Broad Breasted White turkey is very easy and a profitable business. Raising Turkeys For Beginners - Homegrown Self Reliance Most consumers dont know that it has never been legal in the United States to use added hormones to produce anything except beef and lamb. These birds have shorter breast bones and legs than other breeds and are unable to reproduce naturally. Turkeys are also vigilant and vocal, chirping as young birds and gobbling as adults in response to loud noises. Make sure to provide adequate nutrition, clean water, and a safe and comfortable environment. Unlike the previous bird that dominated the market, the Broad Breasted White turkey is an enormous bird with shorter breast bones that support more meat than any other breed. The turkey coop should be big enough for them to fit in well without congesting. Any information you provide to us via this website may be placed by us on servers located in countries outside the EU if you do not agree to such placement, do not provide the information. Competing in for the title of eye candy are Blue Slates and Narragansetts. I so much like the message, I want to go into turkey farming, Your email address will not be published. Your white turkeys need to have a good coop. After numerous days, breeders remove the pens and allow the young poults to meet with hundreds and thousands of mature birds. Can they be kept as pets? In 1956, the USDA first approved hormone use for raising cattle. At this time these birds can weigh 13kgs. They are white on color with a large frame and white skin. White turkeys are good birds. The optimum temperatures for hens and toms are between 64 and 70 F (18 and 21 C). It may not display this or other websites correctly. Depending on your setup, you may choose to feed your turkeys free-range or in a confined area. In 1874, White Holland turkey breed was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association. Currently, they are listed as endangered species by the Livestock Conservancy and are in the blink of extinction. This should be either added in their dirt bath or dusted directly on their bodies in small amounts. First of all, select a very good location for your farm. I'm not 100% sure that they are broad breasted but I think we did. Youll also need to monitor the birds for signs of illness or injury, and treat any health issues promptly to prevent the spread of disease. Milder turkey meat tends to be more popular but fetches a lower price than gamey, heritage meat. The best ways to help the heritage populations are to join in the advocacy, to raise heritage turkeys if you have the farming space, and to purchase heritage turkeys for your meals if you cannot raise them. Their development was prompted by the rising population in the United States at the time that made the demand for turkey meat sky rocket. Didn't find what you need? They are smaller, rarely dressing out above thirty pounds, and must be kept with better fencing because they can escape and roost in trees. The resulting bird grew faster, larger, and had a cleaner looking carcass. Your email address will not be published. Lifespan Of A Turkey In the wild, the average turkey life expectancy is 3 to 5 years, with hens usually living three years and toms living for four years. It is a large bird that requires a bigger area to live. Most commercial turkey farms purchase poults from hatcheries, raise them within a season or two, process, and purchase again. Although, Broad Breasted White is a meat turkey breed and raised mainly for meat production purpose. The breed declined after the commercial adoption of the Broad Breasted White, like most other turkey breeds. Bon Apptit's Test Kitchen put that assumption to the test with a side-by-side . Can Breeders Cure What Ails Our Breast-Heavy Turkeys? Broad-Breasted Bronze feathers are copper bronze, with a background of brown and black, and white bars on the tail a coloration is very similar to wild turkeys. They are not normally kept past harvest time . The breed was created by selectively breeding several strains of White Holland turkeys, which were known for their large size and meat quality. The breed is very good for producing breast meat. These birds need a well-rounded course to ensure they get all the nutrients they require in their bodies. Scouring and digging through various sources I have prepare a list of the four breeds that are white for you. What is the lifespan of a broad breasted turkey? Broad Breasted hens lay eggs that have a high hatchability making them so pricy and using such eggs for food. The Broad Breasted White is commercially the most widely used breed of domesticated turkey. free printable turkey body coloring pages. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display("vi_1472596215") }),
If you decide to raise Broad Breasted White turkeys rather than heritage types, youre unlikely to have problems with aggression. They should be isolated from the rest to avoid disease spread. You can house them in a coop or a free-range area, depending on your setup. Top 5 Potential Risks, Very strong and hardy birds, docile temperament, but some birds can become aggressive, highly dependent on selection by breeder, today raised mainly for meat production, very good for producing breast meat, very productive birds and are of large size, today highly popular throughout the world, cant flight, short-lived birds. They are a cross of Royal Palms and the Broad Breasted Bronze. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. For turkey poults, the egg carton is a perfect initial feeder. Generally, the male broad-breasted white turkey lives a . The birds dark plumage affected the color of the flesh, and breeders decided to create a white-feathered bird that would not change the meats pigment. Food critics claim heritage breeds taste better and have healthier meat than their industrial counterparts. The Midget White has the appearance of a miniature version of the commercial Broad Breasted White turkey, but it is still capable of mating naturally. White turkeys are infested by external as well as internal parasites. More than 70% of that weight is within the breast. These birds eat together, sleep together, and roam together. Genetic diversity is lacking in White turkeys, and most adult birds that are spared from the slaughterhouse do not live comfortable lives before dying. The massive, white-feathered bird is used more than any other breed; commercial chicken farms typically house around 10,000 birds to keep up with the American demand for turkey meat. They are prone to leg and back problems due to their heavy nature. Select the right breed for your business. People ask many questions about Broad Breasted White turkey. Broad-breasted white turkeys have white feathers, pink legs, and black beards. However, the genetic manipulation that created the White bird also made it more vulnerable to obesity. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Unlike broad-breasted varieties, heritage turkey breeds can mate and fly in the same ways as their wild ancestors. In addition to that, their nitrogen rich manure will fertilize your vegetable garden. They also make good pets and you will enjoy entertainment from a tom gobbling, struting and fanning his tail feathers. Some growers keep separate flocks, raising turkeys without antibiotics until problems occur then moving sick birds to another pen if they have to medicate. These birds are ready for market after a period of 16 weeks. The rearing of broad-breasted white turkeys is not for egg production because of some health issues associated with adulthood. adElem.style.top = '10px'; These birds have shorter breast bones and larger breasts, sometimes rendering them unable to breed without human assistance (typically via artificial insemination). Provide them with a high-quality turkey feed, as well as fresh water and occasional treats like insects, worms, and vegetables. The Bronze Turkey is too large and heavy to be able to fly and struggles to jump. No, broad-breasted white turkeys are not poisonous birds as they do not have any poison-producing glands. Poultry keepers who are new to turkeys soon learn this. The turkeys are not given food or water during the trip, and some are not stunned before theyre butchered. All turkeys live there until they move to another unit. The broad-breasted white turkey bird earned its name from the fact that before arriving at European tables, this species traveled through the country of Turkey. Turkeys are social birds and thrive in a calm and stress-free environment. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Your total order requires ANY 3 birds to ship. They are like the turkeys you buy at the grocery store for Thanksgiving. Learn more about pastured turkeys fromAcres USA. The weight range of a broad-breasted white turkey is 29.7-86 lb (13.5-39 kg). It is believed that the Bronze Turkey originates from a cross between wild US turkeys and those brought over in the 18th century by settlers from England. Because they havent been bred with the focus of producing a lot of meat within a short period of time, they grow slower and therefore can live for years without health problems. The breed was actually developed by crossing the White Holland and the Broad Breasted Bronze turkey. It gets its name from the bronze finish to its plumage, and it is prized for its meat production, and although it is not as popular as the Broad Breasted White Turkey, many consumers look specifically for this breed for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. And always try to take good care of your birds. About Broad Breasted White Turkeys: The #1 Turkey Meat Producer They often live shorter lives. Why America's Thanksgiving Turkey Is So Boring - Gastro Obscura While broad-breasted white turkeys are bred for their ability to mature quickly, heritage turkeys are allowed to take their time -- the development of healthy skeletons, organs and muscles can take up to 28 weeks [source: American Livestock Breeds Conservancy ]. Here are some key things to keep in mind: Turkeys need plenty of space to move around and stretch their wings. Which is our fault for not doing the research and asking more questions. This has increased from the end of the 20th century when the broad-breasted white had become so popular that heritage breeds were almost extinct. Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey - All You Need To Know - ChickenMag Access to clean, fresh water is essential for turkeys. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Americans preferred smaller turkeys with more breast meat that fit into an icebox. Do Broad Breasted White turkeys lay eggs? When you choose your next turkey, what factors will you take into consideration? While many farmers have announced that they will stop adding medication to daily feed, they hold that treating sick animals is the most humane way to raise meat. Broad Breasted White | Turkeys for Sale | Myers Poultry Its important to provide enough space for the birds to mate and to prevent aggression or fighting. If the White turkeys in a commercial farm gain weight too fast, their keepers starve them for a few days to keep them within the correct weight limit. Sick birds should be taken to a bird vet for treatment. If yours are only 3 months old and already have breathing issues, they are not likely to make it to 3 years old unless you make drastic changes to their diet which includes. YES, its Safe! When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Most white turkeys are calm, friendly and social meaning they will not harm your kids. This makes them an ideal choice for commercial meat production. The cross was developed to produce a bird that was bigger than the English turkeys but easier to manage than wild ones. Our Nicholas strain hens reach 25 pounds, and the toms as much as 45 pounds. It is very easy for poults to feed on them. The Broad Breasted Bronze is another commercially developed strain of table bird. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, these birds were extensively reared but later ran out of favor among farmers and restaurants after the development of the Broad Breasted White (Source). You can easily start this business if you follow the steps mentioned below. Though we see stunning pictures of iridescent bronze turkeys with white banding, the most common color for commercial production is white because the carcass dresses out cleaner. Although, people kill them for their meat. Breeding & Reproduction Guide, Cute Frogs: 9 Pictures That Will Make You Happy, Why Chocolate Is Toxic To Dogs (Vet Answer). Today the Broad Breasted White turkeys are grown in large, fully automated grow-out barns, which may house as many as 10,000 birds. Less than 5 months after birth, the turkeys are loaded haphazardly in large trailers and taken to the slaughterhouse. We didn't feed him anything crazy to make him grow fast. Do not forget to have enough nesting boxes where the white turkey hens will lay their eggs. Provide plenty of clean bedding, heat lamps or other heat sources, and a consistent supply of food and water.