Broad-breasted Bronze

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A Bronze Turkey is a breed of domesticated turkey thought to derive from a cross between the eastern species of North American wild turkey and domestic turkeys from Europe. It has historically been the most popular variety in the U.S.

[edit] History

Beginning in the mid-1920s and extending into the 1950s turkeys were selected for larger size and greater breast width, which resulted in the development of the Broad-breasted Bronze. To avoid damage to the hens by the great weight of the toms, and because of their shorter legs and broader breasts, these birds are usually bred by artificial insemination.

From the 1960s on, the Broad-breasted Bronze was replaced by the Large White (or Broad-breasted White), which produces a cleaner-looking carcass because of less visible pin feathers.

[edit] Standard weights

• Old Tom 36 pounds
• Young Tom 25 pounds
• Old Hen 20 pounds
• Young Hen 16 pounds