Breeding Turkeys

[ccrawf]

So I am new to this site, and wanted to get some inputs. I have had turkeys for 2 years now, and I house them with my chickens. This year, I have (had) 19 turkeys and 50 chickens. Had 2 Broad Breasted bronze, that I recently harvested. One weighed 24 pounds one weighed 26 pounds. Also have 13 Bourbon Reds, 2 Spanish Blacks and 1 Blue Slate. Been toying with the idea of keeping some for breeding. Finally decided that I would keep a pair of the Bourbon Reds. Both Blacks are toms, but one is bigger and I will keep him. The Slate is a hen and so I will keep her. Next year I am thinking about getting more Broad Breasted Bronze, and plan to keep a female as a breeder. Everything I have read so far indicates that I should be able to cross a standard male with a BBB hen. Any one see any issues there, or have ideas?

 

[gaviota]

I have only raised rio grande so my knowledge is incomplete but I think a BBB hen might be so heavy that she might break eggs, also large meat birds may have longevity issues. We will have to see if anyone with more direct knowledge contradicts me.

 

[chickenannie]

It depends what your purpose is. For meat no problem. But I kept mine purebred because a lot of people who want to buy from you will want purebreds. They can be pretty when mixed (like chickens) -- I don't think there's any inherent harm in it.