BBW or no?

[Darthdame]

So I'll start this by saying I made a rookie mistake and bought 2 turkeys at TSC in April. They're about 5 months old now and we bought them as heritage breeds (midget white, or white Holland turkeys). My neighbor's had a white Holland who we loved who met a bad end so we got these because we loved her so. Now the age old question, did we get a heritage breed or are they in fact just BBWs? I'll post a few pics of my male and maybe y'all can help me out. It's so hard for me to tell. I'm praying they're not, but I know that it's definitely a possibility. Definitely will not go through TSC next time. Was just excited to see turkeys and grabbed two.

 

[Molpet]

BBW most likely. If you pick them up do they feel heavy or surprisingly lite for the size?

 

[Darthdame]

They're not that heavy to me. I can pick them both up easily. The boy is obviously bigger, but I'd say he's probably 20-25 lbs. She's probably 15-20. Haven't actually weighed them.

 

[Darthdame]

I've never seen a BBW in person so I'm not sure how to judge weight. I've just always heard they get really big, really fast. We found a Cornish Cross hen that my neighbors had and that was struggling and I could 100 percent tell she was a meat bird, but that was my most experience with them

 

[R2elk]

So I'll start this by saying I made a rookie mistake and bought 2 turkeys at TSC in April. They're about 5 months old now and we bought them as heritage breeds (midget white, or white Holland turkeys). My neighbor's had a white Holland who we loved who met a bad end so we got these because we loved her so. Now the age old question, did we get a heritage breed or are they in fact just BBWs? I'll post a few pics of my male and maybe y'all can help me out. It's so hard for me to tell. I'm praying they're not, but I know that it's definitely a possibility. Definitely will not go through TSC next time. Was just excited to see turkeys and grabbed two.

They are BBWs. The breed is Turkey.

Next time look for a heritage variety from a reputable seller or buy locally.

Very few people attempt to breed BBs at the local level. The most successful method of breeding BBs is via artificial insemination which most local breeders don't want to deal with.

 

[Molpet]

They're not that heavy to me. I can pick them both up easily. The boy is obviously bigger, but I'd say he's probably 20-25 lbs. She's probably 15-20. Haven't actually weighed them.

My 2 year old heritage toms weight that.

 

[Pearlescent]

Definitely BBWs, but if you're weight estimates are accurate they may actually be fine, if kept on a diet.

 

[Zenmonkey]

I'd have guessed BBW even before @R2elk laid it out clearly.

Don't confuse BBW with Cornish cross chickens. I'm not aware of any issues keeping the BBW as a pet, compared to Cornish cross tending to, well, not live long. BBW might have a shortened life span due to their size? But I don't believe it is any where near as severe a with the Cornish cross.

One definitive way to tell the difference when buying poults at TSC or Rural King. $10 to $15 indicates a broad breasted turkey (bronze or white). $15+ indicates a heritage breed. Unless you're reading this some time in the future, in which case eyeball their website. The heritage will still be more expensive. This isn't 100%, sometimes they get discounted.

I picked up both BBW and BBB from Rural King this year. (Same supplier to both chains. ) Sadly I don't expect them to live to see Thanksgiving. That's not because of likely accidents or health issues. It's just that I am not a huge fan of tofu.

 

[Zenmonkey]

Also, if I'm mistaken regarding the longevity / health of BBW, someone please correct me.

 

[Molpet]

Also, if I'm mistaken regarding the longevity / health of BBW, someone please correct me.

With diet and exercise the hen I was trying to keep for breeding got too heavy. My brother was visiting and I had him dispatch at 18 months. I got attached