Can you breed heritage and bb turkeys?

[Goldenlacedwyandotte]

So I was wondering if you could breed a heritage Tom turkey to a commercial broad breasted hen? Didn’t know if that could work. Thoughts?

 

[R2elk]

So I was wondering if you could breed a heritage Tom turkey to a commercial broad breasted hen? Didn’t know if that could work. Thoughts?

Yes. It helps if the BB hen is young.

 

[Goldenlacedwyandotte]

Yes. It helps if the BB hen is young.

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if the broad breasted hen would cause trouble.

 

[R2elk]

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if the broad breasted hen would cause trouble.

You don't want to let the BB hen brood or raise the poults. They cannot move their feet in the delicate manner that heritage hens can. They have been known to accidentally break their own eggs and accidentally step on poults and crush them.

As they age they may not be supple enough to do their part in the breeding act. Yearling BB hens give the best chances for success.