Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey

Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey

The Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey is known for being one of the largest and heaviest turkey varieties available. Originating in the United States, this breed was recognized by the American Standard of Perfection in 1874. With an impressive feed-to-meat conversion rate, the Broad Breasted Bronze turkey is an excellent choice for family meat production.

Due to their large size, these turkeys don’t reproduce well naturally; instead, parent stock are artificially inseminated to ensure high hatchability. Compared to heritage turkeys, the Broad Breasted Bronze has a shorter natural lifespan, largely due to its size. At Chicken Coop Company, we source bloodlines from Aviagen Turkeys, Inc., ensuring quality in every hatch.

Appearance:

• Feather Color: Bronze. The Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey has a bronze colored plumage with brown, copper and iridescent shades. The feathers have a metallic sheen that shines in the sun. This breed’s feathers are often described as dark with a rich iridescent finish.
  
  

• Body Type: Large and muscular. Bred for meat production. Broad chest and deep body. Stocky and powerful. High meat yield especially the large plump breast. Broad chest is one of the main characteristics of the Broad Breasted Bronze so a favorite for those raising turkeys for meat.
  
  

• Head and Beak: Large head. Prominent snood (the fleshy protuberance hanging from the beak) that can become more pronounced during mating displays. Small but sharp beak for foraging. Red wattles (the fleshy parts under the neck) add to the bird’s appearance.
  
  

• Legs and Feet: Strong and muscular legs to support the big body. Yellow legs are short but sturdy. Well formed feet for good mobility.
  
  

• Tail: Full and fan shaped tail with dark feathers. Long and graceful tail feathers add to the bird’s majestic appearance.
  
  

Temperament:

• Calm and Docile: Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys are calm and docile. Easy to manage and handle. Less flighty than some other breeds but can still be skittish in new situations.
  
  

• Less Active: Due to their size the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey is not as active or mobile as other smaller turkey breeds. They are less curious and more content to stay in one place especially when they get bigger. Not suited for free range environments that require high movement.
  
  

• Not Good for Natural Breeding: One of the main drawbacks of the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey is that it can’t breed naturally due to its size. The size of the toms (males) makes natural mating difficult and as a result artificial insemination is used in commercial breeding. Not suitable for those who want to breed turkeys naturally on a small farm or homestead.
  
  

Meat Production:

• Fast Growth Rate: One of the most valuable traits of the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey is its fast growth rate. They grow fast and reach slaughter weight in about 16 to 20 weeks. Fast growth makes them very efficient for commercial meat production.
  
  

• Large Carcass: Bred for meat production the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey has one of the highest yields of any turkey breed. The broad chest and deep body gives it high yield of white meat especially the breast meat. The turkey’s large carcass provides plenty of meat cuts for whole turkeys, turkey breast, ground turkey and other poultry products.
  
  

• High Yield: These turkeys are known for tender and juicy meat. The large size of the turkey gives high yield of edible meat that’s why it’s so popular during the holiday season especially around Thanksgiving.
  
  

Health and Care:

• Hardy: The Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey is generally a hardy bird that can adapt to different climates. But due to its size it’s more prone to certain health issues like joint problems and heart issues especially as it matures. Proper care and nutrition is essential to keep these birds healthy.
  
  

• Feeding: Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys need a balanced diet rich in protein and nutrients to support their fast growth. Special turkey feed is used to promote healthy development during their early stages of life. Proper feeding helps prevent leg weakness and other health issues.
  
  

• Care Considerations: Due to their size Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys need plenty of room to move around. They are not as agile as smaller turkeys and can struggle in tight or enclosed spaces. Make sure they have a spacious and secure environment especially as they grow.
  
  

Housing:

• Space: Due to their size these turkeys need a lot of space to move around. A secure pen or shelter is necessary to protect them from predators and provide room for foraging. Since they are less active than other turkey breeds they do well in enclosed spaces as long as the area is big enough to accommodate their size.
  
  

• Ventilation: Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys are sensitive to extreme temperatures especially heat. Make sure to provide proper ventilation in their housing to prevent overheating which can cause health issues. They should have access to shade and cool areas especially during warmer months.

What is a Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey?
A large, heavy turkey variety known for its impressive size and meat production.

Is the Broad Breasted Bronze good for meat production?
Yes, it has an excellent feed-to-meat conversion rate, making it ideal for family meat production.

Does the Broad Breasted Bronze turkey reproduce naturally?
Not easily; they require artificial insemination due to their size.

What is the lifespan of a Broad Breasted Bronze turkey?
They generally have a shorter lifespan than heritage turkeys due to their large size.

Where does Chicken Coop Company source these turkeys from?
We use high-quality bloodlines from Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.

Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey Facts