| Domesticated turkey | |
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| Large White Turkey | |
Domesticated
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| Genus: | Meleagris
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Meleagris gallopavo (modern) | |
The Bourbon Red is a large [Domesticated turkey|turkey] with deep reddish brown feathers set off by white tail and flight feathers with red barring near the ends. The breed originated in [Kentucky] in the late 19th century, where they were developed by J. F. Barbee, who cross-breed different breeds of turkeys, including Bronze, Buff, and White Holland. http://albc-usa.org/cpl/bourbon.html
The breed is large, but not as deep-chested as the broad-breasted breeds that are popular for modern commercial production. The standard weights of a young Bourbon Red tom is 23 pounds and of a young hen is 14 pounds. Weights vary, however, and may be less than the standard.
Although once bred for commercial production, the numbers of Bourbon Reds declined in the mid-to-late 1900s due to the development of broad-breasted breeds of turkeys. More recently, interest in the breed has revived, and the breed has been upgraded to "watch" status. They are a good choice for a backyard bird, as they are attractive birds and excellent foragers.
"Watch: Fewer than 5,000 breeding birds in the United States, with ten or fewer primary breeding flocks, and globally endangered. Also included are breeds with genetic or numerical concerns or limited geographic distribution."http://albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html
- ^ "American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Watchlist". 2006-06-04. Retrieved 2007-02-17.