If you ’ve ever rust a turkey from the grocery depot , chances are it was a Broad Breasted White Turkey . Due to their speedy growth and large processing exercising weight , this is an ideal breed for today ’s meat industry . A sketch in 2012 testify that 87 million turkeys were waste in America alone over the course of the twelvemonth . you may play the absolute majority of those were Broad Breasted White Turkeys .
However , these monumental birds are n’t for every homestead , some farmers take to raise smaller and slower growingheritage breeds , claiming they taste better . Let ’s face at this strain and resolve what works best for your farm .
About Broad Breasted White Turkeys
This turkey strain was developed by crossing Hollands and Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys . The ensue shuttlecock turn quicker , larger , and had a cleaner looking carcass .
In 1874 , this novel breed of turkey was accepted into the American Poultry Association . Once the breed was go for , it proceeded to take the post of the most pop turkey stock , formerly hold by the Broad Breasted Bronze .
Broad Breasted White Turkey Characteristics
1. Size and Weight
Easily outweighing your cat , lap dog or any other bird in the barnyard ( unless you own emu or ostriches of course ) , these are emphatically not small wench . Often the tom turkeys can press up to 40 pounds ! The hen typically matter less , weighing around 25 - 30 pounds .
2. Temperament
These turkey can sometimes be a piece of a flip - up as far as temperament goes . in the main talk , Broad Breasted White Turkeys have reasonably teachable disposition , with the occasional aggressive tom .
Since consumers raise their own centre often purchase sexed males , the flocks can get rather angsty towards butcher metre as the Male ripen .
3. Meat Production
It ’s no secret why these turkeys are the guide breed for the commercial sum diligence . On top of their fast rate of growth , Broad Breasted Whites raise more meat than any other turkey breed . They also produce a large amount of sought after breast meat , a well - loved favorite of many mass .
4. Egg Production
loosely , the lonesome function of bomb guardianship is notegg production . However , the beautiful flecked egg they give rise are decidedly a gorgeous bonus .
Broad Breasted White Turkeys are not the best for egg production , regrettably . These birds run into some health military issue as they reach adulthood . While this is n’t an issue for the people immediately litigate their turkey , one look a estimable prospicient egg production life story will be disappointed .
Taking Care of Broad Breasted White Turkeys
1. Feeding and Nutrition
Young turkeys have very speedy growth andrequire more proteinthan most fowl types . run your poults with a 30 % protein starter until your poults are 8 weeks old . Once your birds reach 8 workweek old , switch them to a high - timbre flock raiser with 20 % protein and gamey - calorie content . Your chick can persist on this peck cultivator until it occur time for butchering .
2. Housing and Fencing
Since these are such large birds , they will doubtless require a large amount of blank space . Inside your coop , you will need to ply a minimum of ten straightforward foot per adult bird to check that everyone has enough space .
When providing roost , take care to lay them no more than 18 in off the ground . leap off mellow property for large birds such as a turkey causes leg and feet issues after an extended period .
If your turkeys are keep in a fenced - in area , a half acre is decent space for a dozen joker . You canfree rangeadult Broad Breasted White dud with peace of mind because you do n’t have many predators to occupy about . Your most significant concerns will most likely be unrestrained enceinte dogs .
3. Health Issues and Care
As with many hard streamlined production strain likeWhite Leghorn chickensand Cornish X chickens , so much nidus is put into one trait that other thing such as health descent by the roadside .
Broad Breasted Whites have been cover completely for meat and their health is n’t the groovy as a result . Once these turkey attain their full weight , they will begin to tardily deteriorate . inwardness government issue , respiratory complication , and joint matter will likely bother your birds if they are kept long by butcher clip .
Unfortunately , nothing can be done about this other than to process on time or elevate better - rounded breeds that can bear longer lives .
4. Breeding
Another challenge in raise this breed is the fact they are in the main unable to breed naturally . If you ’re concerned in cover Broad Breasted Whites , it ’s a likely possibility you ’ll demand to inseminate by artificial means .
It ’s also hard to keep the same training flock for very long with this breed due to the government issue they run into with age .
Turkey Breed Alternatives
1. Midget Whites
Although this stock ends up on the other side of the sizing spectrum , Midget Whiteswere modeled after Broad Breasted Whites . Midget Whites share many of the same characteristic as Broad Breasted Whites , but without the challenges with breeding and health . When I say small-scale , I imply small though ! Midget Whites often do n’t count more than 13 pounds .
2. Broad Breasted Bronze
As a breed used in the breeding of Broad Breasted White Turkeys , these birds are rather comparable . Weight is a bit less , as toms do n’t unremarkably tip the scale past 25 pounds with hen a routine smaller . An added fillip is they can cover naturally , save you a capital good deal of time and resource .
Did You Know?
The gobble of a tom turkey can be heard from up to a mil away ! somewhat crazy , ripe ?
How do you like this strain ? They might not be a fit for your homestead or they could be just right ! It ’s up to you to decide whether or not this is a good breed for you . Decisions are fun , best of luck with yours !
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