Caption: hey! Take MY picture- I’m the cutest!
What are the best practices for longevity with broad breasted turkeys?
It’s no secret that Broad breasted turkeys were not bred to live very long lives . They are bred to grow grotesquely big at an extremely fast date in order to be butchered as young birds. However, they are also sweet and friendly animals, and very easy to bond with and get attached to. I bought my turkeys with the intention of raising them as pets. My birds were never in jeopardy of becoming Thanksgiving dinner. I should’ve researched turkey variations more before I went out on a whim and ordered eight broad breasted bronze turkeys. The fact of the matter is, because of their breeding and size they are prone to many health problems. Everything from cardiac arrest to join problems is a risk with these sweet birds. So as we approach the 10 week mark with my youngsters, I wonder, what are the best practices for turkeys that are to be pet? If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure there has to be something I can do now that will contribute to a longer life with these broad breasted beauties.
I’ve read to limit their protein and food intake- but as we know- turkeys NEED a very high protein level to develop correctly and avoid afflictions, such as, perosis. But what about limiting their rations after they’re out of that critical growing period- say, 6 months old?
And obviously keep the bedding clean and dry and avoiding contact with chickens as poults (which isn’t an option for me, as I am the proud mama to a rooster flock of five gentleman), can contribute to good health. And of course feeding them good food, pasture and adding a supplemental vitamin regime helps too I’ve also had my on vitamin B complex since they were abut three weeks.
But what else? I know there was a member of the BYC community that had a beloved bird that was a broad breasted White that lived to the ripe old age of nine- which is rather remarkable, but as I understand, this turkey mom is no loner with us to reveal her secret to longevity in the broad breasted world. Too bad for lot of reasons, one of them being the remarkable feat of keeping one of this variation alive and healthy for NINE YEARS! Since the average life span is 1-3 years for these birds, that’s really amazing.
What I need to know is- aside from raising an altogether different and smaller turkey- and without the afore mentioned practices that I’ve successfully implemented already with my flock- what else can I do or try to add years on to my pet turkey’s lives?
I know there’s not a magic cure-all or secret formula, but if you’ve raised one of the broad breasted varieties and the bird(s) have lived beyond three years old - what did you do that others may not have? And how old did your longest living bird age to?
Any help is greatly appreciated. I know some may laugh that I have 8 pet turkeys Andin my logical mind I realize it may classify me as insane, but in the emotional part of my brain, I know what’s doneis done- and what’s done is a strong bond between 8 uniquely different birds and I the time I dedicate is insane in itself- but I love it. And, yes, I did calculate the cost of feeding a full grown turkey will meet, and possibly exceed, $250 annually, PER BIRD- but my time with these inquisitive and rather kind creatures-is truly priceless so that begs the question- HOW DO I CARE FOR THEM IN A WAY THAT CONTRIBUTES TO A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE?
any bb boys I end up with go to freezer camp. My oldest bb hen was almost 2 when she passed of heart failure. Have one bbw this year, was really hoping for a hen.... now Dot is Thanksgiving dinner... 
