Broad-Breasted vs. Heritage Turkeys

When it comes to adding turkeys to your flock, it is very important to consider what role you want them to play. Whether you want turkeys for meat or for pets will be a big determining factor in what type you purchase.

Size/Growth

Broad-Breasted turkeys are the Cornish Cross of the turkey world! They are designed to grow quickly and produce a large amount of meat. Your typical Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey would be a Broad-Breasted variety. Male Broad-Breasted turkeys can get close to 50 lbs by 22 weeks of age! These turkeys mature quickly, and we don’t recommend growing them past 22 weeks of age. They are also unable to fly because of how large they get. 

Heritage turkeys are smaller and leaner than their Broad-Breasted counterparts. Males have an average weight of 30+ lbs, while females average about 16-20 lbs. They take longer to mature, and there is no set timeframe as to when you need to butcher, if you choose to do so. Heritage turkeys can fly to evade predators or roost in trees. 

Reproduction

One important difference between the Broad-Breasted and Heritage turkeys is the ability to naturally reproduce. Because of the sheer size of the Broad-Breasted turkeys, they are unable to reproduce naturally. Heritage breed turkeys are successful when it comes to reproducing naturally, as they are much smaller.

Meat Type/Taste

One large variation between the two varieties of turkeys is the ratio of white to dark meat on the bird. Broad-Breasted turkeys will have large breasts with immensely more white meat, and the taste is very mild.  

Heritage turkeys have much more dark meat on their bodies, as the breasts are smaller. They often taste gamier, but are far juicier and richer in flavor. Oftentimes, Heritage turkeys eat a much more natural diet than the broad-breasted do, and this can affect the way they taste. 

Sustainability

When it comes to keeping turkeys long-term, Heritage turkeys are a better option than broad-breasted turkeys. The ability to naturally reproduce and their longer life spans make them great as pets or for meat. While both types are known to be sweet and friendly, broad-breasted turkeys are designed to be butchered and tend to suffer from long-term health issues or even death if kept past 22 weeks of age. As with all types of poultry, aggression can occur when toms reach sexual maturity.  

Choosing the best type of turkey for your lifestyle is important. No matter which one you go with, you are sure to enjoy the fun and quirky personalities they offer. If you aren’t sure which type is right for you, reach out, and we can help!