The Ultimate Guide To Red Bourbon Turkeys – Size, History, Cost, And Epic Meat!
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Move over, commercial meat turkeys – a new bird is strutting into the spotlight! Meet the mighty Red Bourbon turkey, a rockstar heritage breed stealing the show at homesteads and Thanksgiving tables across America. With their stunning mahogany feathers and personalities as warm as fresh-baked pumpkin pie, these magnificent birds are more than just another pretty face in the corral.
Aside from being a Thanksgiving staple, these stately birds have many surprising quirks and advantages.
Let’s brainstorm them in detail!
Red Bourbon Turkey Overview
The Red Bourbon turkey is a living piece of American heritage, combining regal beauty with practical farmstead value. These magnificent birds showcase rich mahogany-red plumage that catches the sunlight like burnished copper. At the same time, their docile nature makes them an ideal choice for novice or experienced turkey keepers. A true dual-purpose breed, they excel as stunning ornamental birds and exceptional table fare.
| Origin | Developed in Kentucky and Pennsylvania in the 1800s. |
| Lifespan | 5 to 8 years. |
| Cost | Expensive! Expect to pay from $10 to $30 per poult. Adults can be way more expensive, especially if they’re fancy-looking. (Anywhere from $100 to $150 per adult or more.) |
| Tom (Rooster) Weight | 21 to 25 pounds. |
| Hen Weight | 10 to 14 pounds. |
| Temperament | Calm, docile, and friendly. |
| Appearance | Rich mahogany-red feathers with white wings and tail tips. |
| Uses | Dual-purpose for meat and exhibition |
| Egg color | Pale cream to light brown with spots. |
| Egg production | 65 to 85 eggs per year. |
| APA Approved? | Yes (recognized by the American Poultry Association). |
The table above offers a fantastic glance at the Red Bourbon turkey. But there’s much more to know about them! Consider the following.
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Origin And History
The Red Bourbon turkey is as American as, well, Thanksgiving itself! Born in the gorgeous hills of Kentucky and Pennsylvania during the 1800s, these magnificent birds got their name from Kentucky’s Bourbon County. Talk about a heritage breed with a real American spirit!
The story goes that early settlers crossbred wild turkeys with domesticated birds, resulting in this stunning red variety that would eventually become a cherished part of American farming tradition.
While they may not have been at the first Thanksgiving, these beautiful birds have graced countless holiday tables since their development and have played a critical role in conserving genetic diversity in American turkey breeds.
What Is The Red Bourbon Turkey Breed Used For?
Think of Red Bourbon as the turkey world’s ultimate triple threat! First and foremost, it’s renowned for its delicious meat and rich, flavorful, holiday-worthy fare, making it an unforgettable Thanksgiving centerpiece.
But these birds are so much more than just fantastic table meat. Many farmers keep them as stunning ornamental birds, serving as living lawn ornaments with their gorgeous mahogany plumage.
They’re also an excellent heritage breeding stock that helps preserve important genetic diversity in the turkey world. And while they grow slower than average, the demand and cost of this bird are high, making it a valuable asset to ranchers and farmers.
Many small-scale farmers find these birds perfect for direct-to-consumer holiday sales as customers increasingly seek out heritage breeds for their exceptional holiday meals.
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Raising The Red Bourbon Turkey Breed
The Red Bourbons are relatively easy to raise, adapt well to various climates, and have fantastic foraging abilities. The biggest trick is that they can fly! Unlike some commercial breeds, Red Bourbons maintain their natural ability to fly into trees for safety, so secure fencing is a must.
They’re also excellent mothers who reliably hatch and raise their poults (baby turkeys), which is a massive plus for sustainable farming. Start your poults in a draft-free brooder at about 95°F, gradually reducing the temperature as they grow.
These turkeys love to roost, so providing sturdy roosts about 4 to 5 feet off the ground will keep them happy and healthy.
Temperament
Imagine having a turkey with the personality of a friendly golden retriever – that’s your Red Bourbon! These birds are known for their calm, docile nature, perfect for families or first-time turkey keepers. They’re not your typical high-strung turkeys. They tend to be curious and surprisingly affectionate.
The toms (male turkeys) strut their stuff with dignity rather than aggression, and the hens are attentive mothers who rarely get flustered. (Of course, Red Bourbon turkey toms can get more aggressive during mating season – like all toms.)
Many owners report their Red Bourbons seeking human interaction, often following their caretakers around the farm like feathered shadows!
Health And Lifespan
Good news for potential turkey keepers: Red Bourbons are hardy birds blessed with excellent health! These robust creatures typically live 5 to 8 years when well-cared for, though some famously reach 10 years or slightly older.
Their heritage breeding gives them robust immune systems and fewer health issues than commercial breeds. They’re naturally resistant to many common poultry ailments, though, like all turkeys, they should be protected from common threats like blackhead disease and kept dry during wet weather.
Regular deworming and basic health checks will keep these beautiful birds thriving.
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Food And Water
Red Bourbons are nature’s original food lovers! These excellent foragers love scratching up insects, seeds, and greens. For optimal health, supplement their foraging with the following.
- 0 to 8 weeks: High-protein turkey starter (28% protein).
- 8 to 16 weeks: Turkey grower (26% protein).
- 16+ weeks: Turkey maintenance (16 to 20% protein).
During breeding and laying seasons, bump up the protein slightly. Always provide fresh, clean water daily – these birds are surprisingly picky about their water quality!
Adding apple cider vinegar to their water occasionally can help maintain good gut health.
Appearance
Picture the most regal turkey you can imagine, then add a dash of autumn splendor – that’s your Red Bourbon!
These birds are simply stunning with their rich, mahogany-red plumage that seems to glow in the sunlight.
Each feather has a beautiful black edging that creates an almost scaled appearance, while their wing and tail tips sport classic white bands.
During courtship, the toms display magnificent fan tails, with their heads and necks changing colors from red to blue to white when stretching and flexing. They’re like living works of art strutting around your farmyard!
Size And Weight
Red Bourbons are medium-sized turkeys, hitting that sweet spot between too big and too small. Adult toms typically reach a market weight of 21 to 25 pounds, while hens are more petite at 10 to 14 pounds.
This generous size makes them perfect for standard family gatherings (hens) and more significant Thanksgiving celebrations (toms).
Their size is one of their selling points – they’re large enough to make an impressive holiday centerpiece but not so massive that they’re difficult to raise or process.
Colors
While red is in their name, these birds are a symphony of autumn colors! Their primary color is rich mahogany-red but bears the following details.
- Main body: Deep, lustrous reddish-brown.
- Feather edges: Black lacing that creates depth and dimension. (More pronounced in toms.)
- Wing tips: Clean white bars.
- Tail: Mostly white with brownish-red edging.
- Head and neck (toms): Changes from red to blue to white during display. (IE – courtship display, when it flexes its tail to attract mates and scare away competitors.)
- Head and neck (female): Less colorful compared to the males. (Usually light brown or pink with perhaps a slight blue tint.)
The overall effect is reminiscent of fallen maple leaves, making them appropriate for autumn and Thanksgiving!
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The Ballad of the Red Bourbon
Upon Kentucky’s rolling hills of old comes a tale of Red Bourbon turkeys, crimson-feathered and bold. The Red Bourbon, with plumage so rare, commands respect in autumn’s crisp, bright air. Like flames dancing in bourbon barrels deep, their feathers glow through the fields they sweep.
These heritage birds proudly strut and show from Bluegrass farms where bourbon spirits flow. These mahogany birds with white-tipped grace are a breed that time cannot soon erase. In market yards and family farms they dwell, each gobble echoes like a dinner bell.
With russet breasts and feather tips of snowy white, they forage proudly from morning until night. Their heritage preserved through careful care, a testament to breeds both strong and rare. Like Jersey Giants in their regal way, these Red Bourbons make every autumn day.
Their bodies are sturdy and built for open range, through warm seasons and with the seasons’ change. Self-reliant yet gentle to the core, these bourbon turkeys bring what farmers adore. A breed both beautiful and a treat to eat, their flavor makes Thanksgiving complete.
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Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, an aspiring homesteader, or someone who appreciates the finer feathers in life, the Red Bourbon turkey proves that some traditions are worth keeping alive.
These gorgeous gobblers offer the perfect blend of practicality and charisma, all wrapped in a stunning mahogany package.
From their friendly dispositions to their holiday-dinner potential, Red Bourbons remind us that sometimes the best things in life have been right here, strutting their stuff in American farmyards for generations.
What about you?
- Have you ever raised Red Bourbon turkeys on your homestead?
- What’s your favorite feature of these magnificent birds – their stunning mahogany feathers, friendly personalities, or their reputation as excellent holiday fare?
- Are you planning to add Red Bourbon turkeys to your flock next spring?
Thanks for reading.
Have a great day!
