Heritage breed turkeys are closer to their wild relatives. Male turkeys have an unusual cap-like crown that extends during the breeding season. These turkeys are generally docile and friendly, and can be easily handled with proper care and training. It is specially bred for this purpose. Plans underway to breed them back being in progress in the US and Canada. What are the characteristics of Broad Breasted White Turkeys? adElem.style.opacity = '0'; Look for feeds that contain a balance of vitamins A, D, and E, as well as calcium, phosphorus, and other essential minerals. Quick Facts about Broad Breasted White Turkey, Broad Breasted White Turkey Characteristics, Broad Breasted White Turkey Appearance & Varieties. These birds have small and short bones that are covered in muscles and fat. Your email address will not be published. Your white turkeys need to have a good coop. The Broad Breasted White turkeys are a very popular breed of turkey in commercial farming. 6oz pack per 128gal of water/ 1 GALLON DOSAGE: 1/4 tsp powder to 1 gal of drinking water. Sick birds should be taken to a bird vet for treatment. Labels may say, young tom or young turkey. Most commercial growers process their birds at seven to twenty pounds and freeze them until the holiday season. 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. That is very long for BB. 1. In some areas, the broad-breasted white turkeys are sold based on their weight. These birds have small breasts, long legs and are super hardy being able to adapt easily. Breeding work is continuing with the latter introduction in the hope of still further improving the type. Conditions on the truck are even worse than on the farm. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Make sure to provide enough space for the birds to move around and perch, and to protect them from predators and inclement weather. By 1965 the Broad Breasted White had taken over the turkey market. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! }()). if (rect.top <= 0) { Genetic diversity is lacking in White turkeys, and most adult birds that are spared from the slaughterhouse do not live comfortable lives before dying. Proper feeding is essential for the health and growth of these birds, as it can provide them with the nutrients they need to thrive and produce high-quality meat. These turkeys are small and white in color. No, they notoriously can not mate naturally, an the hens must be artificially inseminated. A completely Western breed, the turkey originated within the forests of North America. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. It was produced by crossbreeding a Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey with a White Holland. For now, feel free to continue reading. Unlike chickens, turkeys have few predators and require less supervision to keep them safe. The Broad Breasted White is a meat turkey breed and they are generally larger in size with an average body weight of 38 to 40 lbs. The breed was actually developed by crossing the White Holland and the Broad Breasted Bronze turkey. 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. You can keep her as a pet but be prepared for your heart to ache when she does pass. Yes you can we have a BBB tom that's 3 years old, we do kind of think this is his last year but he's such a sweetheart. Even with these extenders, . You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. At this time these birds can weigh 13kgs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclosure:Itspoultry.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Make sure to provide adequate nutrition, clean water, and a safe and comfortable environment. 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. Some farmers will go ahead and supplement their diet with dried mealworms or scrambled eggs. The broad-breasted white turkey is a domesticated bird that lives in almost every part of the world. These birds are social and will require good gifts and treats to make them happy. The broad-breasted turkeys have a high rate of eggs hatch. When a consumer raises its own broad-breasted white turkey for meat, it usually prefers male birds over females. There is a second type of this breed which is known as broad breasted bronze turkey or heritage turkey. adElem.style.visibility = 'visible'; Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Ask the Expert December 2014/January 2015. Despite its popularity, the breed is also known for its susceptibility to health issues due to its large size, and requires careful care and management to stay healthy and productive. The resting place should not be higher than 10 in (25.4 cm) from the earth's surface because jumping off high places results in legs and foot issues after a long period. These birds are a great choice to keep. The turkeys are not given food or water during the trip, and some are not stunned before theyre butchered. Organic turkey farms use neither antibiotics nor feed that has not been certified organic. You can also supplement their diet with insects, worms, and other protein-rich treats. Use the search! You can incubate eggs using an incubator or a broody hen. 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. They can be friendly with humans and may even follow keepers around, like a pet dog. Although, they are not allowed to live more than 18 months in the commercial farms. It is ready for butchering in as little as 5 months, but its meat is considered milder and sells for less. [3] Broad Breasted Whites also have a very high percentage of their eggs hatch, which makes turkey eggs as a food item a rare delicacy.[4][5]. The Orlopp Bronze is a strong complement to any farm, delivering competitive feed conversion and maintaining industry-leading health status . They belong to the same bird family which includes pheasants, partridge, jungle fowl, and grouse. These birds have shorter breast bones and legs than other breeds and are unable to reproduce naturally. Rated 4.57 out of 5. This will protect them from harsh weather and keep them from turkey predators like wild dogs which hunt them for food. adElem.style.position = ''; Instead of a smaller bird, Americans wanted a large turkey with even more breast meat. This will ensure they move in and out freely without getting stuck and hurting their backs and legs. The temperament of broad-breasted white turkeys is moderately docile but sometimes they become aggressive. adElemSticky.innerHTML = ''; Look for birds that are free of defects, have good muscle tone, and are a good weight for their age and breed. Average lifespan of a Broad Breasted White turkey is between 2 and 5 years. MAXIMUM OF 40 Broad Breasted White Turkey $ 9.95 Sold Out Breed Facts Description Video Reviews (21) Breed Facts Poultry Show Class: Not Applicable Weights: Hen-22 lbs (at 20 wks) (Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Heritage turkeys are old-fashioned breeds with smaller breasts, darker leg meat and heftier price tags than conventionally raised turkeys, but many people say the superior taste is worth the higher cost. Their largest population is in the United States. 14 Rabbit Myths And Misconceptions You Need To Stop Believing Now! Which is our fault for not doing the research and asking more questions. 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. A post shared by Jeanine Baze (@iluvdirt326). Your email address will not be published. Baby turkeys require a protein rich diet if they have to make it to the next stage of life. As low as: $ 7.95 View Products. Since muscle is built as the animal moves, hormones would be ineffective because broad-breasted turkeys and Cornish Cross chickens rarely do more than flap around a little. The now-ubiquitous Broad Breasted White can weigh 38 pounds at just 18 weeks old. The speed range of a broad-breasted white turkey is between 25-55 mph (40.2-88.5 kph). Fully grown hens weigh approximately 18 pounds. Genetically, White turkeys are not healthy animals, but theyre considered hardy species less affected by climate conditions. And currently the breed is one of the most popular heritage turkey breeds in the United States. Why is antibiotic-free important? Large operations can load up to 1,500 turkeys per hour into the truck, and many birds break their wings or suffer from internal hemorrhaging in the loading process. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. The Broad Breasted White fit the commercial niche for a tur-key yielding larger breast muscle and, when slaughtered at a young age, it also fit the family niche for a smaller turkey. This should be either added in their dirt bath or dusted directly on their bodies in small amounts. Vaccinate them timely and always provide them all required medicines. Several factors make the Bronze Turkey a good choice for small-scale farming: But there are some downsides to breeding this turkey: The Bronze Turkey was once the most popular of all domesticated turkey breeds in the US, having been bred to be easier to manage than wild turkeys but bigger than the English turkeys brought over with settlers. The incubation period of eggs is about 28 days, after which the breeders check the sex of the turkey poults or chicks and distributed them to the grow-out farms. When it comes to feeding Broad Breasted White turkeys, there are several important factors to consider. Incredibly social breeds, turkeys can die of loneliness if they arent kept with acceptable companions. These birds eat together, sleep together, and roam together. These supplements are fed as a treat in moderation because they are not their main diet. Generally, the male broad-breasted white turkey lives a . Breeders also give them infrared heaters in the initial days. The Broad Breasted White turkey is a breed of domestic turkey from United States. The Broad Breasted White turkey is known for its high-quality meat, which is tender, juicy, and flavorful. The juiciness is because of how the turkey lives, at what age it is butchered, and which additives have been injected before the meat is wrapped in plastic. Broad breasted toms will live for a shorter period than hens. I don't think I have the heart to butcher her. Male broad-breasted white turkey price is roughly $8.90, whereas female broad-breasted white turkey or hen usually sold for about $8.05. We have two females that will be 3 in a couple months. Today, they are listed as endangered by the American Poultry Association and are almost extinct with very few species remaining. These birds have shorter breast bones and larger breasts, sometimes rendering them unable to breed without human assistance (typically via artificial insemination). Wide Ranging. A 40-pound tom turkey flaps his wing as Chris Conley carries him to a pen at Raymond's Turkey Farm in Methuen, Mass., on Friday. Bronze turkeys stand 4 feet tall, with a 15 to 18-inch tail and a 6-foot wingspan. During the cold winters, these birds will need extra care. It can run quickly, however, and does require plenty of space to roam around. adElem.style.width = ''; PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Featured Image Credit: Jennifer Yakey-Ault, Shutterstock. White turkeys were designed to produce the largest amount of meat, but theyre more vulnerable to diseases and other medical conditions than heritage birds. I'm not 100% sure that they are broad breasted but I think we did. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. The broad-breasted white turkey is a poultry animal that belongs to the class Aves in phylum Chordata. I weighed our girl that we have left and she's about 23 pounds right now and 10 months old. The do free range in the day, but have food readily in the coop. Scouring and digging through various sources I have prepare a list of the four breeds that are white for you. window.onscroll = function () {
These enormous turkeys generally are for meat production. Although, Broad Breasted White is a meat turkey breed and raised mainly for meat production purpose. if (window.innerWidth > 900) {
The Broad Breasted White turkey transformed the turkey industry with its high yields of meat, but unfortunately, the increased production characteristics came at the expense of the birds health. Denying them a nesting area will encourage them to nest in the bushes. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Its important to provide enough space for the birds to mate and to prevent aggression or fighting. 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. Here are some key things to keep in mind when caring for these birds: Turkeys require a clean, dry, and well-ventilated environment. adElem.style.display = 'block'; Last edited on 27 December 2022, at 05:27, "Preserving Historic Turkey Breeds in Kansas", 2010 Turkeys Pardoned By Obama Died This Year, "Why can't you buy turkey eggs in stores? To control turkey worms, seek advice from a qualified bird vet on the right wormer to administer. Also, heritage species are preferred by chefs for their enhanced flavor and lean meat. Before development of the breed, the Broad Breasted Bronze breed held the dominant position on the turkey market. However, review full breed profile of this turkey breed in the following chart. In colder climates, you may need to provide additional heat sources such as heaters or heat lamps to keep them warm. [1] They produce more breast meat and their pin feathers are less visible when the carcass is dressed due to their white color. } How to start Broad Breasted White turkey farming business? Heritage turkeys are among the most stunning livestock around. I so much like the message, I want to go into turkey farming, Your email address will not be published. } else { Some have kept them going longer by restricting feed and exercising them. The size of broad-breasted white turkeys ranges between 39.5-49.2 in (100.5-125 cm) in length and weighs around 29.7-86 lb (13.5-39 kg). Although, people kill them for their meat. That is why Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the broad-breasted white turkey the national emblem of America. Others must euthanize sick birds to keep the rest of the flock safe. Usually the turkey to receive a "presidential pardon", a U.S. custom, is a Broad Breasted White. Do not forget to have enough nesting boxes where the white turkey hens will lay their eggs. The size of a broad-breasted white turkey is 39.5-49.2 in (100.5-125 cm), which is 10 times bigger than a bald eagle. However, these birds led to frustrations as they weighed much less than it was anticipated. Eschewing all antibiotics means suffering of the animal, spread of disease, and euthanasia of sick animals before the other livestock can contract the illness. In contrast, broad-breasted bronze has a much higher weight than white turkey. The broad-breasted white turkey is endemic to America but it can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Are Broad Breasted White Turkeys Good for Small-Scale Farming? (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display("vi_1472596215") }),
It is a large bird that requires a bigger area to live. Both hens and toms are raised independently because of their different growth rates. The poults or baby birds are generally of yellow color. Yes, broad-breasted white turkey birds can make good indoor pets. The general white turkey breed was admitted into the American Poultry Associations Standard of Perfection in 1874. Turkey farming is also a good venture. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. All animals and humans have hormones. Two types of broad-breasted turkeys exist: white and bronze/brown. There is a fleshy appendage in the male that hangs from the beak. The breeding season of broad-breasted turkeys is from late February to early March. No, broad-breasted white turkeys are not poisonous birds as they do not have any poison-producing glands. 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. Typically they are not able to reproduce, and their life span is naturally shorter. Some growers keep separate flocks, raising turkeys without antibiotics until problems occur then moving sick birds to another pen if they have to medicate. However, the wood roosts should be strong enough because turkeys are big and heavy to support their weights. What are you feeding? Make sure your turkey housing has plenty of windows or vents to allow for adequate airflow. Is Raising Turkeys for Eggs at Homestead a Viable Option? The life span of a broad-breasted white turkey is between two and five years. 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. adElem.style.zIndex = ''; It has white feathers and short legs. Bourbon Reds are relatively larger than many breeds of turkeys, which is what makes them more ideal for meat production. Though the meat variety eats more per day than the dual purpose breed, the total feed to meat ratio is much lower. Due to its popularity, domestic breeds are found everywhere. White turkeys are among the best turkey breeds that you can have in your backyard. External parasites should be controlled by use of diatomaceous earth powder. Yes! Here are some key things to keep in mind: Turkeys need plenty of space to move around and stretch their wings. Although these birds will live for just a few months because they will be butchered for meat. Less than 5 months after birth, the turkeys are loaded haphazardly in large trailers and taken to the slaughterhouse. Learn more about pastured turkeys fromAcres USA. Additionally, make sure the doors are big enough because these birds are big. If they grow too fast or too large, they can injure joints, break legs, or have cardiac and respiratory problems. 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. Hens can enter the slaughterhouse when theyre only 14 weeks old, and toms can be butchered when theyre 18 weeks old. if (width <= 900) { }; All varieties of domestic turkey descend from the Mexican turkey. We want that thick, juicy breast meat but dont want biological repercussions within our own bodies. taran nolan car accident south carolina, box lacrosse tournaments 2022, if she doesn't text back is she not interested,
broad breasted white turkey life expectancy
