Broad-breasted Bronze Turkeys
Donna's Broad-breasted male "Tommy"
Photo courtesy of Donna West
This breed was developed for the table. The coloring is similar to that of the wild turkey, but the size and shape of the two differ greatly. The APA Standard sets their weights at 36 pounds for an old tom and 20 pounds for an old hen. By 28 weeks a young tom may already weigh 25 pounds.
It should be noted that, like the Broad-breasted White, these commercial strains are so heavy that they cannot usually mate naturally, requiring artificial insemination. The "unimproved" Bronzes are able to mate naturally.
A Broad-breasted hen
Boy, no wonder they call them broad!
Photo courtesy of Pam Marshall
Close-up of a BBB tom
Photo courtesy of Taryn Koerker
This is "Chester," a one-and-a-half year old BBB
tom
Photo courtesy of Rose M. Isgrigg
A BB Bronze poult Only 9 days old and already strutting! or
Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments
Photo courtesy of Lisa Fewell
Photo courtesy of Barb King
back to Poultry Page