Make sure to provide adequate nutrition, clean water, and a safe and comfortable environment. Vaccinate them timely and always provide them all required medicines. 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 Broad Breasted White is a fast growing turkey breed. Click to expand. Midget whites have good mothering skills and will take good care of their baby turkeys well. The Standard Bronze Turkey is considered a heritage breed and these, in turn, are very well domesticated. Their size and weight makes them adept fence jumpers and skilled at roosting on fences. 3. This means that the meat can be difficult to get hold of for consumers, but it also means that farmers can get a good price for good-quality Bronze Turkey meat. The Broad Breasted Bronze is another commercially developed strain of table bird. These birds are highly valued in the United States especially during Thanks giving where millions are butchered for meat. These birds will sometimes grow big and develop health issues because of obesity. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. 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. 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). Incredibly social breeds, turkeys can die of loneliness if they arent kept with acceptable companions. Required fields are marked *. Due to their large size, Broad Breasted White turkeys are prone to a variety of health issues, including leg problems, heart disease, and respiratory infections. [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]. 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. 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. 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. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. These birds have shorter breast bones and larger breasts, sometimes rendering them unable to breed without human assistance (typically via artificial insemination ). The breed is very good for producing breast meat. The broad-breasted white turkeys can fly but only to a short distance. How to start Broad Breasted White turkey farming business? Do Broad Breasted White turkeys lay eggs? 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Ask the Expert December 2014/January 2015. 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. adElem.style.display = 'none'; 6oz pack per 128gal of water/ 1 GALLON DOSAGE: 1/4 tsp powder to 1 gal of drinking water. Just like chickens, white turkeys have their own requirements too. They have a high feed to meat conversion ratio reaching maturity quickly than other common breeds. Its also ineffective. Instead of a smaller bird, Americans wanted a large turkey with even more breast meat. Their development kicked off in 1930s in the United States when farmers expressed their desire on a meat bird with no dark pin feathers. You can keep her as a pet but be prepared for your heart to ache when she does pass. Be very limiting of any treats, especially BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seeds) and any other high fat foods. Turkeys require an incubation period of around 28 days. These other birds possess iridescent plumage of multiple colors including green, bronze, blue, and a featherless blue head. Their legs and feet are grayish-white. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. Broad Breasted White Turkey. Is this breed able to lay eggs for consumption? 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. Large-scale farming operations pack in birds that can thrive in such confined quarters, allowing more production for the space. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. var adElem = document.getElementById('vi-ad');
The Midget White turkey is a relatively new breed. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. 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. 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. In 2020, the population size of broad-breasted white turkey was approximately 84.3 million. Less than 5 months after birth, the turkeys are loaded haphazardly in large trailers and taken to the slaughterhouse. Generally, the male broad-breasted white turkey lives a . Some growers keep separate flocks, raising turkeys without antibiotics until problems occur then moving sick birds to another pen if they have to medicate. In 1987, there were only 300 breeding hens known to be in circulation. Though the meat variety eats more per day than the dual purpose breed, the total feed to meat ratio is much lower. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; 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. 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. The breed has also been included in Slow Food USA's Ark of Taste. Good ventilation is crucial for keeping turkeys healthy, as it helps to remove moisture, ammonia, and other pollutants from the air. Unlike broad-breasted varieties, heritage turkey breeds can mate and fly in the same ways as their wild ancestors. Can they be kept as pets? When you choose your turkey, keep in mind that industrial growers add labels such as raised without added hormones because you are more likely to choose that bird over others without the label. It relies upon the controlled development of microbes that require skillful management. The Broad Breasted White is commercially the most widely used breed of domesticated turkey. 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). Here are some key things to keep in mind: Turkeys need plenty of space to move around and stretch their wings. These birds will add color and also entertain you in various ways. 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. Today these birds are highly popular throughout the world and they are excellent for meat production. if (rect.top <= 0) { Can you do veggies and melons? (function () { However, baby white turkey chicks are yellow. adElem.style.opacity = '0'; The quality of care you give to your birds is very important. Can broad breasted turkeys live a happy healthy life? These birds were originally bred in Europe, and were prized for their hardiness and adaptability to a variety of environments. It is arduous to housetrain these turkeys and they do produce a large amount of poop. published Nov 4, 2011. Turkeys are susceptible to a variety of health issues, including respiratory infections, parasites, and injuries. They can be friendly with humans and may even follow keepers around, like a pet dog. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. They are excellent foragers and will help control weeds and other insect pests on your backyard. if (width <= 900) { They are generally complete white in coloration with pink legs, a black beards, and red carnucling. Keep detailed records of their feed and water intake, growth rate, and any health issues that arise. There is a common procedure to rear turkey poults on poultry farms in the United Kingdom. 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. These supplements are fed as a treat in moderation because they are not their main diet. Also, look for those heavy breeds like the breasted whites because they cannot mate naturally. The Bronze Turkey is too large and heavy to be able to fly and struggles to jump. The conservation status of broad-breasted white turkeys is unknown as they are mainly domesticated and their population is stable presently. They are prone to leg and back problems due to their heavy nature. When a consumer raises its own broad-breasted white turkey for meat, it usually prefers male birds over females. They will provide meat and eggs. You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable turkey body coloring pages. Many turkey farmers opt for concrete or gravel flooring, as these materials are durable and easy to sanitize. adElem.style.top = '10px'; Two types of broad-breasted turkeys exist: white and bronze/brown. But sometimes they can weight more. But thisalso promotes questions:What is a heritage turkey? A 0.5-acre area is enough for a dozen turkeys in a fenced-in region. How big does a Broad Breasted White turkey get? Toss tasty treats like cracked corn, strawberries, grapes, cherries, asparagus and cabbage. (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display("vi_1472596215") }),
Unlike wild turkeys that get to roam and forage freely, commercial white chickens are crammed in tiny spaces and forced to eat high-fat turkey feed to ensure they reach the market standard for weight. 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. Excellent choices for smaller farms and families include the Midget White and Beltsville Small White. They should be isolated from the rest to avoid disease spread. Bronze pin feathers can be dark and visible. They are like the turkeys you buy at the grocery store for Thanksgiving. The turkeys breasts are so large that the birds are unable to reproduce naturally. No matter which method the farmer chooses, all reflect in final purchasing prices in heritage turkeys for Thanksgiving. A secondary factor to price is how turkeys are raised. These turkeys dont weigh much as hens weigh 10 pounds while toms weigh 17 pounds. This breed is not known for its natural reproductive ability, and artificial insemination is often used to produce fertile eggs. They also make good pets and you will enjoy entertainment from a tom gobbling, struting and fanning his tail feathers. The broad-breasted white turkey is a domesticated bird that lives in almost every part of the world. Lays eggs every few days. Secondly, anything labeled hormone-free is already fallacious because all animals are raised with the hormones existing within their own bodies. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. All animals and humans have hormones. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. So keeping her lighter can help you keep her longer. This should be either added in their dirt bath or dusted directly on their bodies in small amounts. 14 Ways Cats Show Their Love, Cute Frogs: 9 Pictures That Will Make You Happy. The Humane Society and PETA have repeatedly warned consumers about the inhumane conditions on industrial turkey farms. GroGel and Vitamin packs may be shipped with the birds or shipped separately before your birds arrive. For turkey poults, the egg carton is a perfect initial feeder. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! People rear various breeds of turkey for meat, especially for thanksgiving occasions. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. That thick breast meat is the result of selective breeding. It is very easy for poults to feed on them. You should know what not to feed turkeys to avoid ill health or death because of food poisoning. Due to its popularity, domestic breeds are found everywhere. 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. Keep mealworms to a minimum. Yes! That is very long for BB. Their largest population is in the United States. The growing process for these birds has been so well refined, the birds often grow to larger than 40 lbs. Eschewing all antibiotics means suffering of the animal, spread of disease, and euthanasia of sick animals before the other livestock can contract the illness. Disclosure. Heritage breed turkeys are closer to their wild relatives. The White Holland is a very old breed whose country of origin is in the United States. Commercially, heritage breeds compose a small percentage, around 25,000 produced annually compared to 200,000,000 industrial (broad-breasted) birds. The Bronze has straight, strong legs set well apart. This poultry article is a stub. A fully matured tom turkey can be expected to reach up to 32 pounds. As with all fowl, males can be territorial and even violent, attacking intruders or newcomers with sharp claws. adElem.style.opacity = '1'; You may also want to separate the poults from the adult turkeys to prevent injury or illness. A male turkey is called a tom, whereas a female turkey is known as a hen. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Average live body weight of the mature Broad Breasted White turkey is between 17 and 20 kg. 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. And now that you know the differences between breeds, would you consider raising a heritage breed versus broad-breasted? This will discourage ammonia building up and keep them free from respiratory issues. Because biosecurity is so crucial in a bird that can get so sick, many growers resort to adding antibiotics to daily feed. In commercial production, hatcheries get their eggs from the breeding farms. However, the genetic manipulation that created the White bird also made it more vulnerable to obesity. And they must be artificially inseminated. Generally known as a chick, the baby broad-breasted white turkey is called poult or turkeyling. Provide plenty of clean bedding, heat lamps or other heat sources, and a consistent supply of food and water. It is specially bred for this purpose. Read some more information about this domestic turkey breed below. In addition to that, these birds will also enrich your garden with their rich manure. Best 23 Feeding Tips, Can Dogs Eat Skippy Peanut Butter? Turkeys mate naturally, with males competing for the attention of females. 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. Its floor should be strong so that predators will not burrow under and sneak in. MIDGET WHITE. Featured Image Credit: Jennifer Yakey-Ault, Shutterstock. The Orlopp Bronze is a broad-breasted turkey, with excellent conformation and high meat quality due to its natural fat layering. Does antibiotic use determine whether you are willing to pay more for heritage turkeys for Thanksgiving? All turkeys live there until they move to another unit. The Orlopp Bronze is a strong complement to any farm, delivering competitive feed conversion and maintaining industry-leading health status . var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad'); Ventilation is vital to allow free air circulation. } As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. The poults or baby birds are generally of yellow color. Hens are smaller and duller than the cocks. 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. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. This will ensure they move in and out freely without getting stuck and hurting their backs and legs. } When you choose your next turkey, what factors will you take into consideration? 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. When it comes to feeding Broad Breasted White turkeys, there are several important factors to consider. The do free range in the day, but have food readily in the coop. In contrast, broad-breasted bronze has a much higher weight than white turkey. This does not influence our choices. Broad-breasted white turkeys are the most common type of turkeys used for meat production. Their pin feathers are less visible when the carcass is dressed and have more breast meat that accounts for about 70% of their weight. There is demand for both types of meat, especially around holiday seasons like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Search our database of over 13528 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. On the other hand, domesticated turkeys live almost double this time - for around ten years if kept well and fed appropriately on average. The Broad Breasted White turkey is a meat breed. Your email address will not be published. Meat turkeys just aren't bred to live more than a few months, and will often die on their own of complications relating to their rapid and massive growth. 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. Added hormones within our poultry is something we will probably never have to worry about. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! Average live body weight of the mature Broad Breasted White turkey is between 17 and 20 kg. Additionally, make sure the doors are big enough because these birds are big. Actually, the Broad Breasted Whites were breed specifically to produce maximum meat. The Broad Breasted White turkeys are a very popular breed of turkey in commercial farming.
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