The average clutch size for a bourbon red turkey is 10-12 eggs, and the incubation period is 28 days. When selecting Bourbon Red turkey chicks, make sure they are healthy, active, and free from deformities. var rect = adElemSticky.getBoundingClientRect();
The Bourbon Red's beak is light horn at the tip and dark at the base. Regardless of whether a male turkey is nearby or not, a mature female turkey lays an egg every day. adElem.style.visibility = 'hidden'; Less breast meat and more highly exercised thighs and wings mean heritage turkeys benefit from longer, slower cooking times. Monitor their health. The Bourbon Red turkeys are hardy and very beautiful birds. Generally one tom is enough for breeding 5 hens. At what age do Bourbon Reds begin laying? The birds have dark feathers, with a red hue that gives them their name. Hens (female turkeys) typically live for five to seven years while toms (male turkeys) live about three to five years [source: American Livestock Breeds Conservancy ]. The average lifespan of a domesticated heritage Bourbon Red Turkey is around 10 years. What is the best feed after 8 weeks? It was accepted into the Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Association in 1909, and in the early twentieth century was an important commercial meat breed until the Broad Breasted White began to dominate industrial production. In general, a female turkey will reach maturity in 5 to 6 months and begin laying eggs. The Bourbon Red hen, on the other hand, may lay a few eggs in the fall after hatching, then pause for the winter if necessary. They can live and breed naturally for many years, unlike commercial turkeys, which . adElem.style.position = ''; Your email address will not be published. They are also a more active breed, so they will eat more than a sedentary breed. White Holland is the oldest heritage turkey breed we raise on our turkey farm. The breed was actually created by crossing Buff, White Holland and Standard Bronze turkey. Yes, Bourbon Red turkeys can reproduce naturally. But with the advent of factory farming of poultry, turkeys began to be selectively bred for increasingly larger size, focusing especially on the production of breast meat. The chicks will be able to go outside as soon as they reach six weeks old. As a result of selection for this single trait, 70% of the weight of mass market turkeys is in their breast. Therefore, the housing should have sturdy walls and doors that can be securely closed at night. To begin, there will be a small pip noise. If you bring home a few Bourbon Reds, its best that you let them free-range, allowing them access to essential natural sustenance in addition to grain and grit. Turkey hens: 9 to 11 lbs. It is named for its reddish-brown plumage and for its area of origin, Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it was developed in the last years of the nineteenth century. Here, we will take a look at the best interesting and unique facts about Bourbon Red turkeys. Many farms and homesteads are home to a fantastic heritage breed of Bourbon Reds. Good setters Its important to offer these in moderation, as too much can upset the turkeys digestive system. Lets put it this waysome claim that Bourbon Red Turkeys are so delicious, youll never pick another for Thanksgiving dinners. var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad'); Today the breed is raised mainly for meat production. Both the wings and tail feature chestnut coverts. No! These birds had a heavily marked royal palm pattern with chestnut red. At this stage in their lives, they must have a safe perch and a source of fresh water. The Ultimate Guide to Raising Turkeys - Survival Sullivan
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