Bourbon Red Turkey

The Bourbon Red is an American breed of turkey. It is named for its red/brown plumage and for its area of origin, Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it was developed. It was accepted by the American Poultry Association in 1909. The Bourbon Red is considered a heritage turkey.

Bourbon Red Turkey Care

Here in Pennsylvania, we have Eastern Wild Turkeys.  Each year around 60-70% of all poults hatched will die in the first 4 weeks. Rasing domestic turkeys can be just as tricky. Turkeys as a whole are very susceptible to respiratory illness, and this can spread through an entire flock if not taken care of early on.

Turkeys can be raised inside of a run, or they can free range. It is important to note when free ranging, that you may need to keep 2-3 turkeys, in order to encourage your birds to stick around your farm. A lone hen may hear a nearby wild tom and take off to find him. A loan tom may hear wild hens and take off to find them as well. 

Turkeys are considered a game bird and can be fed a game bird feed. however, they do not need it. We feed a general all flock feed. Be sure that during breeding season, your hens get enough calcium for their shells. You can place a bucket of oyster shell out for them to pick at or you can feed eggshells back to your flock.