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A Look At Bourbon Red Turkeys For Sale

By Sharron Cantu


The common vision of a turkey in most American homes is of the large white bird that is raised in pens on ranches and is eventually sold to processing companies to prepare them for becoming Thanksgiving dinner for millions of families. Few people are aware of the specialty breeds of turkey that inhabit our country. Finding bourbon red turkeys for sale is a good way to become acquainted with another breed of this bird.

Originally created in Kentucky these birds were bred to have dark chestnut feathers with a white tail and wings. Their name comes from their color and the county in Kentucky where the breed was first conceived. They are the most populous of all Heritage Turkey Breeds and have become the most popular for breeders.

While they were very popular as a meat bird in the early nineteen thirties and forties they like most other breeds of turkey lost their appeal when they were replaced by the white turkey we know so well today. However they have regained favor in the past twenty years and are becoming a popular addition to the holiday tables across America. Breeders have also increased their numbers during this period but there are still too few to be removed from the "watch" lists.

You are able to purchase young toms that weigh under twenty pounds and hens that weigh under ten pounds after they are dressed for the table. Larger mature birds can also be obtained weighing around thirty pounds before dressing but they are usually kept for breeding purposes. One of the attributes of this bird is that because the pin feathers are white they do not stain the skin of the bird and this presents a cleaner, smoother appearance prior to cooking.

Many of these birds are kept as pets because of their docile nature and beautiful coloring. They are also popular for exhibition because of the vibrant coloring they display. The toms faces are gray or blue during breeding season. Their beards are black and their darker feathers shimmer with greens and dark blues in the sun.

If you plan to order a turkey for the holidays it is important to check with the seller early because they must be pre-ordered in advance. Sellers need to be aware of weight requirements for the bird you want as well as whether or not you will want more than one. They usually allow these birds to free forage and supplement their diet with grain and turkey feed. Weights on the birds may vary but the seller will let you know of any changes.

You may be able to pick you bird up at a local retailer for convenience. Some ranchers contract to them for delivery to their customers. Another option is to pick up the bird at the ranch. There is usually a discounted price when you do this. Some ranchers will also ship your purchase to you in a frozen state and add the shipping charges to your bill.

Regardless of whether you are purchasing these birds for your farm or for your holiday dinners you can be assured that they will meet your expectations in every respect.




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