Broad Breasted White
Dominant commercial turkey breed since the 1960s.
Last updated
The Broad Breasted White is the most widely used breed of domesticated turkey in commercial production. It has been the dominant breed for food production since the 1960s, having superseded the Broad Breasted Bronze and the Beltsville Small White.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Poultry breeding
- Known for
- Dominant commercial turkey breed
- large breast meat
- requires artificial insemination
- Average weight
- 38–40 lbs
- Origin
- Bred from Broad Breasted Bronze and White Holland
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Broad Breasted White was developed by cross-breeding the Broad Breasted Bronze with the White Holland. It replaced the Broad Breasted Bronze in industrial settings and the Beltsville Small White for home cooking. These birds have shorter breast bones and larger breasts, sometimes rendering them unable to breed without human assistance, typically via artificial insemination. The growing process is so refined that birds often exceed 40 lbs, with average birds weighing 38–40 lbs.
Because of their size, predilection for overeating, and sedentary personalities, they are flightless and prone to health problems such as heart disease, respiratory failure, and joint damage. Even if spared from slaughter, they usually have short lives. The breed produces more breast meat, and its white pin feathers are less visible when dressed. Enthusiasts of slow food argue that the development of this breed and commercial production methods have come at a cost of less flavor.
More in Domestic Breeds & Types
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Broad Breasted White (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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