Bronze turkey farming is common and popular throughout the world. It is a pretty old breed of domestic turkey which was known by the late 1700s. It is a meat turkey breed and raised mainly for meat production purpose.
The Bronze turkey breed was originated from crosses between the domestic turkeys brought by European colonists to the Americans and the eastern wild turkeys they found upon their arrival.
The Bronze turkey breed had been the most popular turkey breed throughout most of American history. Name of the breed refers to it’s plumage, which bears an iridescent bronze-like sheen.
Although the the breed was known by the late 1700s, but the name ‘Bronze’ didn’t formally appear until the 1830s. Breeders standardized the Bronze throughout the 1800s, and occasional crosses were made back to the wild turkey.
The Bronze turkey breed was divided into two distinct types. Those were the Standard Bronze and the Broad Breasted Bronze. A great deal of confusion exists about the difference between Standard and Broad Breasted Bronzes, or that there is any difference at all. Collectively, the Standard and Broad Breasted varieties are simply called the Bronze turkey.
The Bronze turkey variety was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in the year of 1874. Today, the breed is available in many countries throughout the world, and raised mainly for meat production purpose.
However, as these birds are good for meat production, so starting commercial Bronze turkey farming will be a profitable business if you can manage everything perfectly.
How to Start Bronze Turkey Farming
Like many other domestic turkey breeds, the Bronze turkeys are also very strong, hardy and active birds. So, starting commercial Bronze turkey farming business will be relatively easy.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Bronze turkey farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Birds
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and active birds for starting your Bronze turkey farming business. Purchasing good quality birds is very important, because good quality birds always ensure good production and maximum profits.
You can purchase either day old poults or mature birds depending on the price and availability in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at very high price in the market. While the day old poults are much cheaper. So, we recommend starting with day old poults.
You can purchase the poults from any of your nearest turkey breeding centers, turkey poult suppliers or any existing Bronze turkey farms. You can also consider searching your local online classified websites. Just ensure that the poults are strong and hardy enough.
Housing
Arranging a good housing facilities for your birds is important for commercial Bronze turkey farming business. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay safe from adverse weather conditions and wild predators.
The Bronze turkey birds require a secure, comfortable and clean housing environment. So, you have to ensure all required facilities for your birds inside the house. You have to provide them with a good roosting area with a roof. And their roosting area must have to have good protection against predators.
The Bronze turkey birds also require a place to dust bathe and a roosting place for flying up into at night. These birds are classed as a medium to large sized birds. So, each mature bird will require around or up to 10-12 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Bronze turkey farming business. Because good quality and nutritious food not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to grow better and produce more.
So, always try to provide them with enough nutritious food. You can feed your turkeys either with commercial poultry feeds or turkey feeds depending on the availability in your area. The turkey birds generally require more protein in their diet than chickens. So, you have to ensure availability of adequate amount of protein in their diet.
Adult bird’s food should contain at least 20 percent protein, and the starter feeds should contain at least 28 percent protein. You can also feed your poults with gamebird starter or chick starter feeds for the first 6 weeks. And then gradually switch to a grower food gradually.
Like many other turkey breeds, the Bronze turkey birds also reach marketing size within their 6 months of age. And on an average, a hen will require around 60 pounds of food, and a tom will require around 100 pounds of food for reaching marketing size.
Never feed your turkeys with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand. Providing clean and fresh drinking water is very important.
The Bronze turkeys are good for raising in both free range and confinement system. But raising them in free range system will be good. Because it will help you to reduce feeding costs, and at the same time the free range birds will produce much better quality products.
Breeding
Like many other domestic turkey breeds, the Bronze turkeys are also naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily and produce fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and toms in your flock.
Generally one mature and healthy tom is enough for breeding around or up to 8-10 hens.
Caring
The Bronze turkeys are very strong, hardy and active birds. So they generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional care will help the birds to grow better and produce more.
Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness. And take necessary steps as soon as possible if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing turkey products is not a problem. Because turkey meat has very good demand and value in the market. So, you will probably be able to easily sell your products in the local market. Although, you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Bronze turkey farming business. Raising Bronze turkeys is very easy, even the beginners can raise them. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
