Breeding BBW?

[19disbre]

I want to breed my own meat turkey, I know BBW can't mate naturally but I was thinking a white holland and a BBW Hen. Has anybody ever tried breeding your own meat turkey? I know I can't match the feed ratios and stuff but I hope to come close.

 

[FarmerMac]

It may work for one season maybe two if she does not develop issues. I had a BBB that lasted two year before she could not walk. The smaller tom should work ok for the matting.

 

[19disbre]

You think I could use a small tom (BBW) and a hen (BBW) as long as she doesn't develop issues? Did I understand that or did you mean some other combination? Also are white holland smaller than BBW?

 

[FarmerMac]

I have

You think I could use a small tom (BBW) and a hen (BBW) as long as she doesn't develop issues? Did I understand that or did you mean some other combination? Also are white holland smaller than BBW?

By the time the BBB tom is ready to mate he will be huge maybe over 30 lbs. I believe that a heritage tom, Bronze, Narragansett, Royal Palm, Holland or Bourbon should be light enough to mate with a BBB or BBW hen. Last season my heritage toms weighted just a little over 15 lbs at 6 months, while the BBB were over 30 by Thanks Giving (mine hatched in May and bought the BBB) now the heritage toms must weight around 20-25. The Holland turkey should be ok, a mature ton weights about 30 lbs. still are smaller than the BBW.

 

[19disbre]

Sounds like a white holland tom on a BBW hen then? What would you guys predict as far as growth rate, feed conversion etc? Am I saving any money at 6 per poult. Next year it may be up to 100 turkey poults ill need so even a dollar savings is good.