Heritage turkeys are great for backyard production, either for food production for the family, or as extra income. Bourbon Red turkeys for sale are great for backyard or free range pasture production. They eat insects and any plants they can find. They also like veggies and fruit. Supplemental food spread in the coop at night will train free range poultry to return to the coop to roost at night.
Pennsylvania farmers bred reddish varieties of Buff turkeys. These reddish birds called Tuscarora Reds, or Tuscawara Reds, were carried to Ohio and Kentucky as settlers moved west. In Bourbon County, J. F. Barbee bred Tuscarora Reds with White Hollands and Standard Bronze turkeys. Sometimes called Butternut or Kentucky Red Bourbons, the bird was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1909.
Bourbon Reds were a popular consumer choice during the 1930's and 1940's. The introduction of the Broad Breasted White turkey led to the retirement and near extinction of earlier domestic breeds. Fortunately, most have survived and dedicated breeders are working to expand and preserve heritage breeds. The Bourbon Red turkey is still considered a rare breed, but it's population is on the rise. Backyard producers find this breed to be a hardy bird, easy to raise, and tasty to eat. It retains many of it's wild cousins natural instincts and abilities, including the ability to fly.
The original breed standard was 33 pounds, or 15 kilograms for toms, 18 pounds or 8.2 kilograms for hens. The recommended weight for a table ready bird was 23 pounds or 10.4 kilograms for toms, 14 pounds or 6.3 kilograms for hens. Breeders hope to restore these standards, but due to the dwindling of the population, current weights vary widely.
This attractive bird is named for its handsome red plumage. Tail feathers and wings are white. Tail feathers sport red bars near the tips. Breast and neck plumage is a chestnut mahogany. The undercolor plumage is white to light buff. Beaks are horn colored at the tip, and darker at the base. Shanks and toes are pink. The beard is black. The wattle is red.
Provide about 4 feet of feeding space to prevent food fights. This can be accomplished by setting up multiple feeding stations or by spreading feed across a wide area on the ground. Provide a coop for shelter in storms and protection from predators at night. Day time pastures should be fenced to protect from day time predators.
To keep birds healthy, rake feces from coops and small yards on a daily basis. Disinfect the coop once a month. Provide drinking water at all times. To keep both birds and pastures healthy, fence off pastures and rotate the flock between pastures.
This is a fun bird to raise. They're friendly and curious. Expect your bourbon reds to come running at feeding time. They'll follow you around the pasture, sometimes making a nuisance of themselves. This hardy, healthy breed lives 5-10 years. They're easy to breed and easy to raise. They reach an edible weight around 6 months, although slightly older birds with a little more weight will be more tender and tasty. The meat is tender and tasty with an ample supply of both white and dark meats. The eggs are tasty and edible but hard to crack.
Pennsylvania farmers bred reddish varieties of Buff turkeys. These reddish birds called Tuscarora Reds, or Tuscawara Reds, were carried to Ohio and Kentucky as settlers moved west. In Bourbon County, J. F. Barbee bred Tuscarora Reds with White Hollands and Standard Bronze turkeys. Sometimes called Butternut or Kentucky Red Bourbons, the bird was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1909.
Bourbon Reds were a popular consumer choice during the 1930's and 1940's. The introduction of the Broad Breasted White turkey led to the retirement and near extinction of earlier domestic breeds. Fortunately, most have survived and dedicated breeders are working to expand and preserve heritage breeds. The Bourbon Red turkey is still considered a rare breed, but it's population is on the rise. Backyard producers find this breed to be a hardy bird, easy to raise, and tasty to eat. It retains many of it's wild cousins natural instincts and abilities, including the ability to fly.
The original breed standard was 33 pounds, or 15 kilograms for toms, 18 pounds or 8.2 kilograms for hens. The recommended weight for a table ready bird was 23 pounds or 10.4 kilograms for toms, 14 pounds or 6.3 kilograms for hens. Breeders hope to restore these standards, but due to the dwindling of the population, current weights vary widely.
This attractive bird is named for its handsome red plumage. Tail feathers and wings are white. Tail feathers sport red bars near the tips. Breast and neck plumage is a chestnut mahogany. The undercolor plumage is white to light buff. Beaks are horn colored at the tip, and darker at the base. Shanks and toes are pink. The beard is black. The wattle is red.
Provide about 4 feet of feeding space to prevent food fights. This can be accomplished by setting up multiple feeding stations or by spreading feed across a wide area on the ground. Provide a coop for shelter in storms and protection from predators at night. Day time pastures should be fenced to protect from day time predators.
To keep birds healthy, rake feces from coops and small yards on a daily basis. Disinfect the coop once a month. Provide drinking water at all times. To keep both birds and pastures healthy, fence off pastures and rotate the flock between pastures.
This is a fun bird to raise. They're friendly and curious. Expect your bourbon reds to come running at feeding time. They'll follow you around the pasture, sometimes making a nuisance of themselves. This hardy, healthy breed lives 5-10 years. They're easy to breed and easy to raise. They reach an edible weight around 6 months, although slightly older birds with a little more weight will be more tender and tasty. The meat is tender and tasty with an ample supply of both white and dark meats. The eggs are tasty and edible but hard to crack.
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If you are looking for bourbon red turkeys for sale click the link to Rusty Duck Lane in Bozeman, Montana. For details on our chickens and Nigerian Dwarf Goats, visit us at http://www.rustyducklane.com today.
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