The Broad Breasted White is commercially the most widely used breed of domesticated turkey. These turkeys dont weigh much as hens weigh 10 pounds while toms weigh 17 pounds. 2. The breed has also been included in Slow Food USA's Ark of Taste. By 2003 the numbers had grown 200% and by 2006 the Conservancy reported thatmore than 8,800 breeding birds existed in the United States. These birds will sometimes grow big and develop health issues because of obesity. They are susceptible to cold especially the poults and you will need to confine them in a heated coop. Broad-breasted white turkey birds live in a group of several turkeys. Roost bars are necessary because they birds love to roost just like chickens. As mentioned earlier, turkeys require a high-protein diet that is balanced with essential vitamins and minerals. The Bronze, White Holland, and Black varieties, the wild turkey, and White Austrian turkeys imported from Scotland were first used in the development of this small-type turkey. The idea was to get a breed that could mature fast and offer much meat. The Beltsville Small White: A Heritage Turkey | National Agricultural As part of the Slow Food USA Ark Of Taste, the Standard Bronze Turkey is considered a heritage food that is in danger of going extinct. Can you keep a broad breasted turkey as a pet? | BackYard Chickens With that said, the species can be protective of its young, and overall temperament is often governed by the breeder and the amount of socialization the birds have undergone when young. They are smaller, rarely dressing out above thirty pounds, and must be kept with better fencing because they can escape and roost in trees. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. window.onscroll = function () {
It is very easy for poults to feed on them. 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 ]. At this time these birds can weigh 13kgs. The eggs have a high rate of hatching, and few can be sold as infertile eggs. The individuals in a group depend upon the area of the coot. [1] They produce more breast meat and their pin feathers are less visible when the carcass is dressed due to their white color. Buy White Turkeys - From Your #1 Trusted Vendor Online Conditions on the truck are even worse than on the farm. Farmers who have raised chickens for meat have probably acknowledged that a Cornish Cross dresses out within six weeks while a Rhode Island Red is ready within four to six months. One advantage of raising broad-breasted white turkey is that you do not have to worry about them as it does not has many predators. Feed your birds with good and nutritious food. They are excellent foragers and will help control weeds and other insect pests on your backyard. It is arduous to housetrain these turkeys and they do produce a large amount of poop. The White turkey was not always the countrys top bird, but it was created to meet the rising demand for low-cost turkey with more breast meat than other birds. 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. 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). }; The primary use of this breed is the same as with any breed of turkey: meat. What is the color of Broad Breasted White turkey eggs? These birds have small breasts, long legs and are super hardy being able to adapt easily. Females usually have less weight than males. So keeping her lighter can help you keep her longer. Use the search! Commercial turkeys are pumped full of antibiotics to prevent illnesses, but most breeders and animal groups believe the issues cannot be solved with medications or traditional breeding techniques. Your privacy is important to us. Broad Breasted usually come in white (most common), bronze, and black. Taste Test: Heritage Turkey vs. Conventional Turkey | Kitchn 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. Bronze turkeys stand 4 feet tall, with a 15 to 18-inch tail and a 6-foot wingspan. Best 23 Feeding Tips, Can Dogs Eat Skippy Peanut Butter? 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. adElem.style.opacity = '1'; PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. There is a second type of this breed which is known as broad breasted bronze turkey or heritage turkey. 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. Instead of a smaller bird, Americans wanted a large turkey with even more breast meat. It was produced by crossbreeding a Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey with a White Holland. Broad-breasted turkey birds are large creatures. Broad Breasted White turkey - Wikipedia You may also want to separate the poults from the adult turkeys to prevent injury or illness. Although these birds will live for just a few months because they will be butchered for meat. 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. These birds are a great choice to keep. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. This breed produces more meat than other turkey breeds. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. 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. The Spanish were the first Europeans to bring turkeys back, resulting in breeds such as Spanish Black and Royal Palm. The optimum temperatures for hens and toms are between 64 and 70 F (18 and 21 C). What is the lifespan of a broad breasted turkey? StresEEZ Plus - $9.25. Didn't find what you need? Their pin feathers are less visible when the carcass is dressed and have more breast meat that accounts for about 70% of their weight. In contrast, broad-breasted bronze has a much higher weight than white turkey. It can run quickly, however, and does require plenty of space to roam around. Its Safe & Best 27 Tips, Can Dogs Eat Eggs? No! Broad-breasted turkey is a popular farm bird and humans generally raise them for their higher meat production capacity. White turkeys also need fresh and clean water to drink. They are generally short-lived birds, and they have a very high percentage of their eggs hatch. Make sure to provide enough space for the birds to move around and perch, and to protect them from predators and inclement weather. White Turkey: 21 Facts You Won't Believe! | Kidadl That thick breast meat is the result of selective breeding. This is because the breasts are so large that these birds cannot mate naturally and must be artificially inseminated. } They also make good pets and you will enjoy entertainment from a tom gobbling, struting and fanning his tail feathers. These birds are raised for meat and have large breasts which are easily bruised by roost bars. When you choose your next turkey, what factors will you take into consideration? It is a large bird that requires a bigger area to live. Optional Vaccination's are preformed at the hatchery. How big does a Broad Breasted White turkey get? Once the eggs hatch, the poults will need a warm, dry, and safe environment to grow and develop. They will provide meat and eggs. Their frozen meat is also available in the market. White turkeys were designed to produce the largest amount of meat, but theyre more vulnerable to diseases and other medical conditions than heritage birds. Your turkey could be bigger than your dog! 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. Search our database of over 13528 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Turkey poults have less meat but sometimes they are still eaten by humans and predators too. 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. If you purchase turkey poults from a feed store and want to start a breeding project, first verify the breed. You should know what not to feed turkeys to avoid ill health or death because of food poisoning. How Long Do Domestic Turkeys Live? [What Can Owners Expect] - Pet Educate How to start Broad Breasted White turkey farming business? These birds generally reach slaughtering age within their 14 to 18 weeks of age. And they must be artificially inseminated. The conservation status of broad-breasted white turkeys is unknown as they are mainly domesticated and their population is stable presently. Not like crazy, but sparingly Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures, My black diamond Chicken Tender Nike and her new three siblings and their parents (sorry long title). 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. if ((_footer && _footer.getBoundingClientRect().top < 500)) { These birds are grown in large, fully automated grow-out barns, which may house as many as 10,000 birds. These turkeys produce more meat than other breeds. Copyright 2023 It's Poultry - All Rights Reserved. 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. adElem.style.opacity = '0'; Lots of free range time with plenty of walks for exercise will help maintain her health. Look for birds that are free of defects, have good muscle tone, and are a good weight for their age and breed. They should be isolated from the rest to avoid disease spread. Homesteads and small farms keep Broad Breasted White turkeys, but heritage turkeys are more reliable for small-scale farming. Select the right breed for your business. If industrial poultry grew faster than it already did, it would suffer more health problems and mortality than it already does. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Both hens and toms are raised independently because of their different growth rates. adElem.style.height = ''; These birds eat together, sleep together, and roam together. So could be either or both going on there. These birds are very small compared to the size of normal turkeys. They keep these young poults under persistent light for the first 48 hours to motivate them to eat. White turkeys are docile creatures that appreciate humans who treat them humanely. In 1997,The Livestock Conservancy considered heritage turkeys the most critically endangered of all domestic animals, finding fewer than 1,500 total breeding birds in the United States. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Americans preferred smaller turkeys with more breast meat that fit into an icebox. Two types of broad-breasted turkeys exist: white and bronze/brown. Less than 5 months after birth, the turkeys are loaded haphazardly in large trailers and taken to the slaughterhouse. adElem.style.visibility = 'hidden'; Your white turkeys need to have a good coop. Access to clean, fresh water is essential for turkeys. Why are Heritage Breeds Rare Turkey Breeds? Make sure to keep the eggs at a consistent temperature of around 99-101 degrees Fahrenheit, and rotate them regularly to prevent the embryos from sticking to the sides of the egg. Two types of broad-breasted turkeys exist: white and bronze/brown. About Bourbon Red Turkeys: Distinguished Meat Birds What is the connection between raising turkeys and what ends up on your own plate? The broad-breasted white turkey is a poultry animal that belongs to the class Aves in phylum Chordata. What are you feeding? How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? These birds have shorter breast bones and legs than other breeds and are unable to reproduce naturally.