", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Broad_Breasted_White_turkey&oldid=1129803192, This page was last edited on 27 December 2022, at 05:27. If industrial poultry grew faster than it already did, it would suffer more health problems and mortality than it already does. The breed declined after the commercial adoption of the Broad Breasted White, like most other turkey breeds. Except for Antarctica, white turkeys live on every continent in the world. 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. Though the meat variety eats more per day than the dual purpose breed, the total feed to meat ratio is much lower. All that growth time equals money spent on feed and the Cornish Cross produces much more meat. When it comes to housing Broad Breasted White turkeys, there are several important factors to consider. Yes! adElemSticky.innerHTML = ''; } else { Today, it is considered a somewhat rare breed, but the Standard has gamey meat that is still considered a delicacy and can fetch a decent price at market. The turkeys breasts are so large that the birds are unable to reproduce naturally. Its also ineffective. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Even if it was legal, most growers wouldnt resort to hormones because its too expensive for the grower and too dangerous for the bird. These birds demonstrate their masculine features as a sign of dominance and as a way of wooing females. 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). https://www.chickensforbackyards.com/White-Broad-Breasted-Turkey-Unsexed-602.htm. There are few places on poultry which are not consumed, and implants within those places would probably result in the death of the animal. Best 23 Tips, Can Dogs Eat Corn? The broad-breasted white turkeys can fly but only to a short distance. Look for feeds that contain a balance of vitamins A, D, and E, as well as calcium, phosphorus, and other essential minerals. The broad-breasted white turkey is a poultry animal that belongs to the class Aves in phylum Chordata. 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. The Broad Breasted Bronze is another commercially developed strain of table bird. They are excellent foragers and will help control weeds and other insect pests on your backyard. Here are some key things to keep in mind if you are interested in breeding these turkeys: Start by selecting healthy, high-quality breeding stock. The Broad Breasted White is a fast growing turkey breed. In addition to that, their nitrogen rich manure will fertilize your vegetable garden. 3. Due to their heavy weight, they are not able to fly or even mate naturally but rather rely on artificial inseminated in order to reproduce. Broad breasted toms will live for a shorter period than hens. Added hormones within our poultry is something we will probably never have to worry about. Just like chickens, white turkeys have their own requirements too. 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. The Standard Bronze Turkey is considered a heritage breed and these, in turn, are very well domesticated. The Broad Breasted White turkeys are a very popular breed of turkey in commercial farming. Turkeys have been domesticated in Mesoamerica for more than 2,000 years. Most of us are willing to pay more for a bird raised without added hormones, right? the bird is mostly raised on poultry farms. They are not normally kept past harvest time . Can you keep a broad breasted turkey as a pet? | BackYard Chickens Search our database of over 13528 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. The Midget White turkey is a relatively new breed. adElemSticky.style.height = rect.height + 'px';
Jersey Buff Turkey: Characteristics & Best 7 Facts Lays eggs every few days. if (rect.top <= 0) { Use the search! Ideally, you should provide at least 10 square feet of space per bird. 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. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. For now, feel free to continue reading. They are generally complete white in coloration with pink legs, a black beards, and red carnucling. Tom was a broad-breasted white turkey. Its important to monitor your birds regularly for signs of illness or injury, and to treat any issues promptly to prevent the spread of disease. Today, the Broad Breasted White turkey is one of the most common breeds of domestic turkey in the United States. Broad Breasted - The Broad Breasted Bronze has been specifically crossed and bred to have a larger breast, more weight, and to yield more meat. The powerful strut by toms fanning their tail feathers and exposing their long fleshy snoods is eye thrilling. The do free range in the day, but have food readily in the coop. In 1874, White Holland turkey breed was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association. } 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). Generally, the male broad-breasted white turkey lives a shorter life than a female. All varieties of domestic turkey descend from the Mexican turkey. This can be in the form of a large barn or shed, or an outdoor enclosure with plenty of room to roam. The Orlopp Bronze is a strong complement to any farm, delivering competitive feed conversion and maintaining industry-leading health status . It became a hot sensation in Europe because of its epic taste. These birds are raised for meat and have large breasts which are easily bruised by roost bars. Top 7 Potential Risks, Why Pet Insurance is Worth the Investment, Can Dogs Eat Almonds? The animals are raised in cramped conditions in large turkey farms, but small farmers often let them forage on free-range lands. White Turkey: 21 Facts You Won't Believe! | Kidadl Can they be kept as pets? How Long Do Domestic Turkeys Live? [What Can Owners Expect] - Pet Educate [1] Learn more about pastured turkeys fromAcres USA. Wood is the best material for a roost because it is a poor conductor in winter. Your email address will not be published. Midget White toms average 13 pounds, and hens average 8 pounds at market weight. That is why turkey eggs are rarely available to eat. Denying them a nesting area will encourage them to nest in the bushes. You can house them in a coop or a free-range area, depending on your setup. Their size and weight makes them adept fence jumpers and skilled at roosting on fences. They will provide meat and eggs. Bronze turkeys stand 4 feet tall, with a 15 to 18-inch tail and a 6-foot wingspan. Most white turkeys are calm, friendly and social meaning they will not harm your kids. Generally, the male broad-breasted white turkey lives a . They are ready to butcher as early as 5 months and only have a life expectancy of 18 months. The breeding season of broad-breasted white turkey is from March to April. The cross was developed to produce a bird that was bigger than the English turkeys but easier to manage than wild ones. adElem.style.display = 'block'; Organic turkey farms use neither antibiotics nor feed that has not been certified organic. The broad-breasted turkeys have a high rate of eggs hatch. Why are turkeys genetically modified? | HowStuffWorks If you've fallen in love with how friendly and beautiful turkeys can be, might I suggest that you consider getting heritage breed 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. When farmers supply a spacious coop for the turkeys and feed them a healthy diet, they can live up to 5 years. They will require artificial insemination if they have to reproduce. var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad');
I prefer to use pine shavings or chopped straw because my girls cannot swallow them and suffer from impacted crops. A fully matured tom turkey can be expected to reach up to 32 pounds. They are rare and currently they are listed as endangered. Your email address will not be published. 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. Common external parasites are lice and scaly mites. The Bronze Turkey can grow to 4 feet tall and have a 6-foot wingspan. In addition to that, these birds will also enrich your garden with their rich manure. It is ready for butchering in as little as 5 months, but its meat is considered milder and sells for less. These other birds possess iridescent plumage of multiple colors including green, bronze, blue, and a featherless blue head. As with all fowl, males can be territorial and even violent, attacking intruders or newcomers with sharp claws. Put a thick layer of a dry and draft free bedding material. . Do you want more meat or would you rather preserve an endangered breed? 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. Conditions on the truck are even worse than on the farm. Breeders also give them infrared heaters in the initial days. And they must be artificially inseminated. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Domestic turkey - Wikipedia Previously, it was thought the domestication of turkey has occurred in middle Mesoamerica about 2,000 years ago, but a recent study found that subsequent domestication happened in the southwest United States between 200 BC and AD 500. Broad Breasted turkeys are very prone to leg problems because their legs have trouble supporting the weight, and turkeys in general can have heart problems (if I recall correctly they have very high blood pressure). The Broad Breasted White hens generally lay off white colored eggs. Homesteads and small farms keep Broad Breasted White turkeys, but heritage turkeys are more reliable for small-scale farming. Today the Broad Breasted White turkeys are grown in large, fully automated grow-out barns, which may house as many as 10,000 birds. Wide Ranging. They are white on color with a large frame and white skin. 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. The rearing of a high proportion of broad-breasted whites occurs in different types of purpose-built or modified buildings. The birds large breasts weigh the bird down, and the full-grown turkeys seem off balance when they waddle around. However, it is more expensive to breed, and its meat has a milder flavor. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. 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. Pet Keen is reader-supported. Raising Turkeys For Beginners - Homegrown Self Reliance Is Raising Turkeys for Eggs at Homestead a Viable Option? 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. Didn't find what you need? In 1956, the USDA first approved hormone use for raising cattle. 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. 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. You can keep her as a pet but be prepared for your heart to ache when she does pass. The Beltsville Small White: A Heritage Turkey | National Agricultural Use the search! These birds were originally bred in Europe, and were prized for their hardiness and adaptability to a variety of environments. A male turkey is called a tom, whereas a female turkey is known as a hen. This makes them an ideal choice for commercial meat production. var rect = adElemSticky.getBoundingClientRect();
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. The name took hold further as Europeans brought them back to breed in the Ottoman Empire, also known as the Turkish Empire or Ottoman Turkey. 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. And currently the breed is one of the most popular heritage turkey breeds in the United States. Food critics claim heritage breeds taste better and have healthier meat than their industrial counterparts. The Spanish were the first Europeans to bring turkeys back, resulting in breeds such as Spanish Black and Royal Palm. Beef hormones are administered as a pellet behind the ear, a part of the animal which is not consumed. 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). There is a fleshy appendage in the male that hangs from the beak. Broad Breasted White turkey - Wikipedia Here are some key things to keep in mind: Turkeys need plenty of space to move around and stretch their wings. Because biosecurity is so crucial in a bird that can get so sick, many growers resort to adding antibiotics to daily feed. As mentioned earlier, turkeys require a high-protein diet that is balanced with essential vitamins and minerals. The white turkey breed has a docile temperament. The White Holland is a very old breed whose country of origin is in the United States. They are susceptible to cold especially the poults and you will need to confine them in a heated coop. Featured Image Credit: Jennifer Yakey-Ault, Shutterstock. These birds have shorter breast bones and larger breasts, sometimes rendering them unable to breed without human assistance (typically via artificial insemination). At this time these birds can weigh 13kgs. 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. adElem.style.top = ''; The turkey coop should be big enough for them to fit in well without congesting. The Broad Breasted White is commercially the most widely used breed of domesticated turkey. Often, a melanin-rich pocket of fluid surrounds the feather shaft, leaking like ink when the feather is plucked. Here we are listing the most common questions about this turkey breed, and trying to answer them. 14 Rabbit Myths And Misconceptions You Need To Stop Believing Now! While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. The conservation status of broad-breasted white turkeys is unknown as they are mainly domesticated and their population is stable presently. 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. Copyright 2023 It's Poultry - All Rights Reserved. These birds have deep and rich flavors than other turkey breeds. Didn't find what you need? PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Genetically, White turkeys are not healthy animals, but theyre considered hardy species less affected by climate conditions. adElem.style.visibility = 'hidden'; The Bronze Turkey is too large and heavy to be able to fly and struggles to jump. In 2020, the population size of broad-breasted white turkey was approximately 84.3 million. Make sure to provide enough space for the birds to move around and perch, and to protect them from predators and inclement weather. Best 23 Feeding Tips, Can Dogs Eat Skippy Peanut Butter? They are prone to heart disease, respiratory failure and joint damage. This commercial strain (a cross of two breeds, but not technically a breed in its own right) represents some 99 . Females usually have less weight than males. They are smaller, rarely dressing out above thirty pounds, and must be kept with better fencing because they can escape and roost in trees. How big does a Broad Breasted White turkey get? At this time these birds can weigh 13kgs. The Orlopp Bronze is a broad-breasted turkey, with excellent conformation and high meat quality due to its natural fat layering. And it has become the dominant turkey breed on the market. Your turkey could be bigger than your dog! Meat from a farmer who feeds antibiotics daily will probably be less expensive because it results in fewer veterinary visits, lower labor costs, and fewer dead birds. 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. Make sure your turkey housing has plenty of windows or vents to allow for adequate airflow. 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. The poults or baby birds are generally of yellow color. And they can not breed easily mainly because of the bulf of their hefty breasts. Bronze Turkey: Facts, Uses, Origins & Characteristics (with Pictures If you are raising the broad breasted white turkeys, roosts are not important. It is commercially the most widely used domesticated turkey for meat. The life span of a broad-breasted white turkey is between two and five years. Bronze pin feathers can be dark and visible. They have a high feed to meat conversion ratio reaching maturity quickly than other common breeds. Competing in for the title of eye candy are Blue Slates and Narragansetts. if ((_footer && _footer.getBoundingClientRect().top < 500)) { But thisalso promotes questions:What is a heritage turkey? The name Bronze started in the 1830s, initially with the Point Judith Bronze from Rhode Island, but eventually spread to all birds of this type. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Turkeys may start out antibiotic-free, but farmers may medicate an entire flock if a few birds get sick. This breed is often used for commercial meat production due to its size and meat quality. It may not display this or other websites correctly. What is the lifespan of a broad breasted turkey? They grow quicker and dress out heavier than heritage counterparts. Bon Apptit's Test Kitchen put that assumption to the test with a side-by-side . Turkeys should be fed at regular intervals throughout the day, with smaller, more frequent meals being better than larger, less frequent meals. The Broad Breasted White is commercially the most widely used breed of domesticated turkey. She's walking fine and doesn't seem to have any issues. Large-scale farming operations pack in birds that can thrive in such confined quarters, allowing more production for the space. Why is antibiotic-free important? The Broad Breasted grows larger and offers more meat, especially breast meat. Broad Breasted usually come in white (most common), bronze, and black. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. Best 20 Tips, Can Dogs Eat Cheeto Puffs? Although, they are not allowed to live more than 18 months in the commercial farms. Are Bronze Turkeys Good for Small-Scale Farming? 14 Rabbit Myths And Misconceptions You Need To Stop Believing Now! They easily feed small families and fit in small refrigerators where other large meat birds will not fit whole. The name of this new North American breed then became turkey fowl, which was soon shortened to turkey. The optimum temperatures for hens and toms are between 64 and 70 F (18 and 21 C). Breeding Broad Breasted White turkeys can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and attention to detail. 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. Does antibiotic use determine whether you are willing to pay more for heritage turkeys for Thanksgiving? Broad-breasted white turkey birds live in a group of several turkeys. } Unless the label states differently, most industrially raised turkeys are broad-breasted. It is an incredibly fast-growing turkey, and this means that it needs to be slaughtered before it reaches adulthood. 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. 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 broad-breasted turkey is the most popular domesticated turkey breed in the world. These are the things that should be done to meet their requirements and ensure a happy and healthy flock. The flooring in your turkey housing should be easy to clean and provide good traction to prevent slips and falls. Its important to provide enough space for the birds to mate and to prevent aggression or fighting. Actually, the Broad Breasted Whites were breed specifically to produce maximum 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. Their development was prompted by the rising population in the United States at the time that made the demand for turkey meat sky rocket. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. 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. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. The broad-breasted white turkey is a domesticated bird that lives in almost every part of the world. var width = window.innerWidth; Efficiency is more vital to turkey producers than humane treatment, and although the United States and much of the world love turkey meat, it comes at a high cost. The growing process for these birds has been so well refined, the birds often grow to larger than 40 lbs. What are you feeding?