Broad Breasted Bronze Turkey

Looks how to spot one

feathers

The Broad Breasted Bronze has dark brown feathers with a glossy, iridescent bronze sheen, tipped with a black band. Males show richer colours including red, purple, green, copper and gold. The wing coverts are glossy bronze, flight feathers are barred white and black, and the tail has a broad bronze band. Females are more muted with faint white lacing on the breast. The body is very large and broad-chested, bred for rapid growth and heavy breast muscle.52

Personality what they are like

Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys are generally calm, food-motivated and fairly docile when handled regularly. They are less flighty than some smaller breeds, but mature toms can become strong and fast-moving during breeding season, so children should always be supervised. They are less active and curious than heritage turkeys, tending to stay in one place as they grow larger.24

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These turkeys need daily walking on secure, dry ground to support muscle tone, circulation and joint comfort. However, they are less agile than heritage breeds, so the goal is steady, low-impact movement rather than forced activity. Flat terrain, good traction, and easy access to shade and water are especially important. They are poor fliers and can injure themselves jumping from high roosts.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Grooming needs are moderate. Provide low roosts, ramps, wide doorways and non-slip footing to prevent injury. Mud, ice and hard wire flooring can contribute to foot and leg problems. Housing must have good ventilation to prevent overheating, especially in warm weather. Shade and cool areas should always be available.24

Home where they are happiest

Due to their large size, Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys need plenty of space to move around. A secure pen or shelter is necessary to protect them from predators and provide room for foraging. They do well in enclosed spaces as long as the area is big enough to accommodate their size. Proper ventilation is essential to prevent overheating. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures, especially heat.42

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Feed a turkey-specific or game bird ration, not standard chicken layer feed. Young poults need a starter diet with 26% to 28% protein for the first several weeks, then a grower feed around 22% to 26% protein as they develop. Clean water must always be available. Limit energy-dense treats like scratch grains, bread and kitchen extras to prevent obesity and leg stress. Greens and enrichment foods should be small supplements only.2

Company who they like around

Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys are social birds that do best in small flocks. They are calm and can be friendly with regular handling. However, they cannot mate naturally due to their large size and body shape, so artificial insemination is used in commercial breeding. This means they are not suitable for those who want to breed turkeys naturally on a small farm or homestead.41

The story where it all began

The Broad Breasted Bronze is a commercial turkey variety developed for rapid growth and heavy breast meat. It originated from crosses between European domestic turkeys brought by colonists and the eastern wild turkeys of North America. The name 'Bronze' appeared in the 1830s, and the variety was standardised by the American Poultry Association in 1874. In the early 1900s, a broader-breasted Bronze was introduced from England into Canada and then the northwestern United States. Further selection created the Broad Breasted Bronze, which became the dominant commercial turkey in America until the 1960s, when it was largely replaced by the Broad Breasted White because processors preferred white feathers for a cleaner carcass. Today it is no longer used by the turkey industry but is still raised for seasonal, small-scale production and by backyard enthusiasts. What makes this variety different from the plain wild turkey is its much larger size, broader breast, faster growth rate, and the fact that it cannot mate naturally due to its conformation.16

Recognised by the official bits

American Poultry Association

Recognised the Bronze variety in 1874.1