Broad Breasted vs HeritageTurkeys?

Why are turkeys genetically modified?

https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/genetically-modified-turkey1.htm

Wild turkeys like these are the descendents of the birds pilgrims would've encountered. They haven't been tampered with genetically.

Stephen J. Krasemann / Photographer's Choice /Getty Images

­When Ben Franklin suggested in 1784 that the turkey be the national bird of the United States, he couldn't have imagined the factory farms teeming with fat, dumb broad-breasted white turkeys.


Turkeys raised in today's factory farms are unrecognizable from the wild birds Franklin knew. Industry-bred birds have unusually large breasts, so disproportionate with the rest of their bodies that they often have trouble standing, walking and mating -- these turkeys rely on artificial insemination for reproduction. They begin life hatched in incubators, have their upper beaks and toenails clipped and spend their days and nights eating fortified corn in a barn full of hundreds of fellow turkeys. Their limited family tree has bred them to be dim-witted and disease-prone; they're given antibiotics to prevent a variety of ailments. Industry turkeys are abnormally fast growing, and by the time they're 12 weeks old, they're shipped off to the slaughterhouse.

­There is an alternative to factory breeding: heritage turkeys, which were nearly extinct as recently as the end of the 20th century. But in the 2006 U.S. turkey census, there were about 8,800 heritage turkeys -- a big jump from the 1,300 heritage turkeys in 1997 [source: Mapes]. They're making a comeback with the help of small enthusiast groups and the Slow Food movement, and you can buy them in some specia­lty markets around the country. Slow Food aficionados value knowing where the food they eat comes from, how it's raised, how it tastes and how it's linked to the community and the environment. And they'll tell you a heritage bird isn't in the same league as the frozen, bowling-ball shaped turkey in your local market's freezer. These birds have rich, gamey meat that doesn't need gravy to add flavor.
The American Poultry Association lists less than a dozen heritage turkey breeds that meet its Standard of Perfection, including the standard bronze, Beltsville small white, black, Bourbon red, Jersey buff, Narragansett, royal palm, slate, white Holland and white midget.
To be considered a heritage variety, the turkey needs to meet three criteria. First, it needs to mate naturally, and its genetic legacy must also be bred naturally. Second, it must live a long and productive life outdoors, which means it must be fit and self-reliant enough to endure whatever the environment throws its way. Unlike industry-bred birds, heritage turkeys can roost, run and fly. 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]. And lastly, it should grow at a slow rate. While broad-breasted white turkeys are bred for their ability to mature quickly, heritage turkeys are allowed to take their time -- the development of healthy skeletons, organs and muscles can take up to 28 weeks [source: American Livestock Breeds Conservancy].
But most Americans will be sticking to the easy-to-find broad-breasted white. So when you give thanks over your turkey this Thanksgiving, remember to thank selective breeding for the bounty of white meat of which you are about to partake.

Broad Breasted White Turkey

   

                                           

https://www.purelypoultry.com/broad-breasted-white-turkey-poults-p-462.html




Broad Breasted White Turkey poults are an excellent choice if you want to raise a turkey for meat. Turkeys sold in grocery stores are Broad Breasted White Turkeys.
Production

The Broad Breasted White Turkey is the breed raised by commercial turkey farmers in the US. It is the best choice for those who enjoy breast meat. These birds have shorter breast bones and legs than other breeds and are unable to reproduce naturally. Instead, they must be artificially inseminated. If you are interested in breeding turkeys, you should try heritage breeds instead.
History

Breeding the White Holland and the Broad Breasted Bronze produced the Broad Breasted White Turkey. It has become the dominant turkey on the market and is the one that most Americans are familiar with.
For a time, the Broad Breasted Bronze held the dominant position on the turkey market, but beginning in the 1960s, processors began to prefer the Broad Breasted Whites because they produced a cleaner looking carcass. The fact that their feathers are all white means that their pin feathers are not visible when the bird is dressed.
The large size of the Broad Breasted White Turkey has pros and cons associated with it. These birds have been bred to grow large; some of them exceed 50 lbs at full maturity. However, some people feel that taste and texture have been sacrificed for size. If you want to raise a bird that tastes similar to those you can purchase in the grocery store, this is the breed for you. If you are a bit more adventurous, you may want to experiment with one of our other breeds.
Colors

Broad Breasted White Turkeys' feathers are white. They have pink legs, a black beards, and red carnucling. Baby BB White turkey poults are yellow.
Status

The Broad Breasted White is the most common breed of turkey available.
Body Type

These are big birds. Broad Breasted Whites have been bred to provide a meaty carcass with more breast meat than any other turkey.
Weight

Hens weigh 14-20 pounds and Toms weigh an average of 30-40 pounds at 20-24 weeks, although they have been known to grow much larger.




Classification

American Poultry Association Class: Not Standardized

Livestock Conservancy Status: Of no concern

Broad Breasted Turkey Feed Conversions

Weeks of Age	Tom Weight	Hen Weight	Total Feed (Tom)	Total Feed (Hen)
2	0.9 lbs	0.8 lbs	1.2 lbs	1 lbs
4	2.8 lbs	2.4 lbs	4.4 lbs	3.6 lbs
6	6.2 lbs	5 lbs	10.3 lbs	8.1 lbs
8	10.6 lbs	8.4 lbs	19.1 lbs	14.6 lbs
10	15.7 lbs	12.1 lbs	30.5 lbs	22.9 lbs
12	21.2 lbs	15.9 lbs	44.3 lbs	32.6 lbs
14	26.8 lbs	19.6 lbs	60.2 lbs	43.7 lbs
16	32.5 lbs	23 lbs	77.9 lbs	55.8 lbs
18	38 lbs	26.1 lbs	97.4 lbs	68.8 lbs
20	43.3 lbs	28.9 lbs	118.8 lbs	82.7 lbs
22	48.4 lbs	N/A	142.2 lbs	N/A
24	53.38 lbs	N/A	167.8 lbs	N/A

The above numbers are only averages and estimations.  Results may vary from flock to flock.

Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey

https://www.purelypoultry.com/broad-breasted-bronze-turkey-poults-p-837.html

The Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey is an excellent choice if you want to raise a turkey for meat. Due to years of being bred specifically for meat quality, these birds grow quickly and provide nice, plump carcass.

Production

For a short time, the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey dominated the commercially-sold turkey market. Consumer appeal rules all, though, and over time, processors began to prefer the Broad Breasted White Turkey, saying it provided a cleaner looking carcass. Today, the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey is raised mostly for small scale, seasonal purposes.
History

Until quite recently in American History, the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey was the most desirable turkey for the table. The breed originated when European settlers bred the turkeys they brought to North America with the native turkeys they found here. The hybrid they produced was a superior animal, being more vigorous and bigger than the European birds but tamer than the North American natives.
The coppery coloring of these turkeys gave them their name, but they were not officially called Bronze Breasted Turkeys until the 1800s. Shortly thereafter, in 1874, the American Poultry Association officially recognized the Bronze turkey breed. Since that time, the breed has undergone dramatic changes, as commercial farmers began to introduce different strains to produce turkeys with broader breasts and shorter keels and that would grow faster.
Commercial farmers continued to refine the breed, improving the quality of the meat, particularly the breast meat. The changes have ended the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys' ability to mate naturally. Since the 1960s they have been artificially inseminated. If you are interested in breeding turkeys, you may be interested in looking at our heritage breeds.
Colors

In the case of the Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey, the name offers a clue as to the birds' color. This breed has predominately dark feathers, which have a coppery sheen. The copper color is from an inheritance from the breeds' wild ancestors.
Status

Because this breed must be artificially inseminated to reproduce, Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys are not bred by individuals. Instead, the majority of them are raised by commercial farmers on a seasonal basis. Some families will buy Broad Breasted Bronzes to raise for meat, but otherwise production is confined to the commercial realm.
Body Type

Broad Breasted Turkeys are compact meat birds and have been bred to have very large breasts.
Weight

Hens weigh 14-20 lbs. at 14-20 weeks and Toms weigh 30-40 lbs. at 20-24 weeks.