Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The modern broad-breasted turkey (top) has a very different head, body, and carriage
than a heritage turkey (bottom).
While it is probably not a good idea to try to supplement the commercial white
turkeys' feed plan with free-range forage supplement, as their sedentary nature would
throw a giant wrench in your feeding plan, just the opposite is true for the heritage or
naturally mating turkeys. A plan that provides them with the time and space for free ran-
ging for greens and insects is an infallible one.
MODERN COMMERCIAL TURKEYS
CAN'T MATE
When selecting for and developing the modern commercial turkeys, based on a desire
for quick and easy food, breeders have changed the birds' body structure so much
they can no longer breed naturally. Because their breasts are so large, the males are
almost always too front-heavy, causing them to fall off the backs of the females when
trying to tread.
