I do n’t think anything saysregalquite like the image of a majestic Bourbon Red tom walking around being a showoff .
Bourbon Red turkey are raised principally for meat and are well loved by many small scale homesteader for their heritage breed calibre and gallant visual aspect in the farmyard .
After lose popularity due to newer and larger breeds for meat yield , Bourbon Reds have made somewhat of a comeback . The average act of Bourbon Reds provide in the United States plunge hazardously low-spirited and continue to call for help climbing .
About Bourbon Red Turkeys
A man constitute J. F. Barbee to begin with bred Bourbon Reds by crossing Bronze , Holland and Dark Buff Tuskarora turkeys in the late 1800s .
Bourbon Reds were spawn in Kentucky and accepted into the American Poultry Association in 1909 . The coming into court of the Broad Breasted White Republic of Turkey caused a decline in the popularity of Bourbon Reds .
Even though Broad Breasted Whites can pop the question a higher nitty-gritty issue , Bourbon Reds are loved for their inheritance qualities and are a top pick for many homesteaders .
Bourbon Red Characteristics
1. Size and Weight
Bourbon Reds are relatively orotund than many breed of turkeys , which is what defecate them more ideal for substance production .
A fully matured tom turkey can be ask to reach up to 32 pounds . Your turkey could be cock-a-hoop than your click ! Fully spring up hens weigh or so 18 pounds .
2. Temperament
virtually all turkey custodian report wonderfully friendly and sweet conduct in their Bourbon Red turkey . There can be an occasional aggressive or territorial male , but that ’s mainly towards rivaling males .
As far as human fundamental interaction goes , Bourbon Reds are pretty friendly bird with an extroverted and affectionate personality .
3. Meat Production
Since meat production was the primary intention of breeding these turkeys , you should n’t be disappointed by their outturn .
Bourbon Reds can sometimes be a bit challenging to pluck according to some Meleagris gallopavo keepers , but their centre is worth it .
A nicely dressed carcase from a Bourbon Red should be somewhere in between 14 and 23 pounds . spawn primarily for their gracious tit meat , this is an first-class choice for a board bird .
3. Egg Production/Other Uses
The cycle of turkey egg lay is a scrap more fickle than one might find in chickens .
Bourbon Reds reach sexual maturity date between 7 and 8 months of old age but generally wo n’t start laying until the bound after they hatched . Sometimes a hen might consist a few ball in the gloam before winter begin but will stop production for inhuman winter Day .
ball production in turkeys can significantly vary found on weather condition and broody schedule , but you could expect approximately 160 - 180 eggs per year from a single hen .
Caring for Bourbon Red Turkeys
1. Feeding and Nutrition
Young joker are rapid growers and require more protein than most poultry eccentric . It ’s safe to furnish your poults with a 30 % protein starter motor until your poults reach 8 weeks of geezerhood .
Once your poults are 8 week old , transition them to a serious flock raiser with 20 % protein , but high - calorie content .
If you are raising your joker for meat , you could keep your turkeys on this lot raiser until butchering clock time . However , if you have turkey hens laying eggs , it is honorable to put them on game wench put down feed during laying season .
If possible , keep your tom Turkey on wad raiser while your biddy eat the position feed . During the season when your turkeys are not producing egg , you’re able to put the whole flock on their flock grower .
2. Housing and Fencing
Being a heritage breed , Bourbon Reds are expert at foraging and can do well in a free range surroundings . Bourbon Reds also tolerate lying-in if that ’s what you opt to do .
The bright side of loose - lay out Bourbon Red is their lack of susceptibleness to vulgar daytime predators such ashawks .
Inside your hencoop , you will take to supply 8 - 10 square feet per adult shuttle to check that everyone has tolerable distance . When provide roost , take concern to place them no more than 18 inches off the ground .
leap off high places for large birds such as Republic of Turkey can cause leg and feet issuing . Outdoors , you will need to allow for a half Akka of space for every dozen turkeys .
3. Health Issues and Care
While Bourbon Reds are not especially susceptible to any wellness issues , Blackheadis a common health issue that plagues many turkeys . It ’s authoritative to find out the signs and bar for Blackhead so you could maintain a healthy great deal .
Chickens are not as vulnerable to Blackhead as turkeys are , but they can be carriers of the leech and get turkeys pallid . It ’s generally best to house your turkeys and chickens separately if you own both type of poultry .
In add-on to Blackhead , keep a penny-pinching oculus out for inner and external parasites on your bomb such as worms , jot , and lice . verify they have plenty ofdust bathingspace to disembarrass themselves of the plaguy critter .
A sleepless eye on your mint to see any subject early on so you could cover your birds , is key to keep a happy and goodish flock .
4. Breeding
Breeding programs have been pitch by the wayside by many hoi polloi over the age . This has leave in some less than stellar breeding lines . When breeding Bourbon Reds it is important to pick out for qualities such as rate of sexual maturity , adult free weight , production , and disposition .
With deliberate selective breeding from some consecrated breeders , Bourbon Reds can once again reach their full potential and go on recovering from their endangerment .
One great thing about Bourbon Reds is their ability to breed naturally . This means no artificial insemination for you to have to deal with !
Breed Alternatives
1. Bronze
The Bronze Republic of Turkey was one of the cornerstone breeds for Bourbon Reds and is still a marvelous stock today .
Like the Bourbon Red , Bronze Turkey suffered a ruin with the show of Broad Breasted White turkeys .
However , Bronze Meleagris gallopavo were one of the most popular breeds before that and are find their pip . You will feel Bronze somewhat resemble Bourbon Reds , but weigh a small amount less .
Fun Fact about Bourbon Reds
Before Bourbon Reds were given the name they have today , they were call Kentucky Reds and Bourbon Butternuts ! I love the name Bourbon Butternut and do n’t retrieve I would have take care if they keep that name .
Bourbon Reds are a great inheritance breed that belongs so well on many farm and homestead ; I ’m sure you ’ll make love these fun bomb ! Consider adding some to your flock ; they ’ll add beautiful eye candy to the curtilage !
Was this article helpful?
What went wrong?
This article take faulty entropy
This clause does not have the data I am look for
How can we improve it?
We appreciate your helpful feedback!
Your result will be used to improve our depicted object . The more feedback you give us , the better our pages can be .
