Raising turkeys can be a highly profitable venture if you choose the right breeds. The most profitable turkey breeds are those that grow quickly, have high meat yields, are disease-resistant, and adapt well to different farming conditions. Whether you’re raising turkeys for meat, eggs, or breeding purposes, selecting the best breed is crucial for maximizing profits.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top turkey breeds for profitability, their characteristics, growth rates, market demand, and management tips to ensure high returns on investment.
Table of Contents
1. Broad Breasted White
Best for: Commercial meat production
Why Choose Broad Breasted White?
The Broad Breasted White (BBW) is the most popular commercial turkey breed in the U.S. and worldwide. It is favored by large-scale producers and small farmers alike due to its rapid growth, high meat yield, and efficient feed conversion.
Key Features:
- Fast growth rate: Reaches market weight (18-30 lbs) in 14-20 weeks.
- High meat-to-bone ratio: Large breast muscles make up about 70% of the carcass weight.
- Efficient feed conversion: Requires 2.5-3 lbs of feed per pound of weight gain.
- Uniform size: Ideal for standardized processing and packaging.
- Docile temperament: Easy to manage in confinement.
Profitability Factors:
✔ High demand in supermarkets and restaurants.
✔ Consistent growth ensures predictable profits.
✔ Low mortality rate when raised under proper conditions.
Challenges:
✖ Cannot reproduce naturally (requires artificial insemination).
✖ Prone to leg problems due to rapid weight gain.
Best for: Large-scale meat producers and contract growers.
2. Broad Breasted Bronze
Best for: Heritage meat markets & free-range farming
Why Choose Broad Breasted Bronze?
The Broad Breasted Bronze (BBB) is another excellent meat turkey, similar to the BBW but with a more traditional appearance. It is popular among farmers targeting niche markets, organic farms, and free-range systems.
Key Features:
- Attractive plumage: Dark feathers with a bronze sheen (preferred by heritage buyers).
- Good growth rate: Reaches 20-25 lbs in 18-24 weeks.
- Stronger legs than BBW: Better suited for free-range systems.
- Better natural mating ability (though AI is still often used).
Profitability Factors:
✔ Higher market price in organic and heritage markets.
✔ Strong demand from gourmet restaurants and specialty butchers.
✔ Good adaptability to pasture-based systems.
Challenges:
✖ Slower growth than BBW.
✖ Feather color can affect carcass appearance (pin feathers may remain).
Best for: Farmers selling to premium markets, organic producers.
3. Bourbon Red
Best for: Pasture-raised & heritage meat production
Why Choose Bourbon Red?
The Bourbon Red is a heritage breed known for its rich flavor and excellent foraging ability. It is smaller than commercial breeds but commands a higher price per pound in specialty markets.
Key Features:
- Distinctive red and white plumage.
- Medium size: Toms weigh 23-30 lbs, hens 12-16 lbs.
- Excellent foragers: Reduces feed costs in free-range systems.
- Natural mating ability: No artificial insemination needed.
Profitability Factors:
✔ High demand in gourmet markets.
✔ Lower feed costs if raised on pasture.
✔ Strong disease resistance.
Challenges:
✖ Slower growth (28-30 weeks to market weight).
✖ Smaller breast size compared to BBW.
Best for: Small-scale farmers, organic/niche markets.
4. Royal Palm
Best for: Dual-purpose (meat & ornamental sales)
Why Choose Royal Palm?
The Royal Palm is a smaller, strikingly beautiful turkey breed. While not the best for large-scale meat production, it is profitable for ornamental sales, small-scale meat production, and exhibition purposes.
Key Features:
- Distinctive black-and-white plumage.
- Small size: Toms weigh 16-20 lbs, hens 10-12 lbs.
- Excellent foragers and flyers.
- Good egg layers (80-100 eggs/year).
Profitability Factors:
✔ High demand as ornamental birds (pet trade, zoos).
✔ Can be sold for meat in boutique markets.
✔ Low feed requirements.
Challenges:
✖ Not suitable for large-scale meat production.
✖ Lower meat yield than commercial breeds.
Best for: Hobby farmers, pet markets, eco-tourism farms.
5. Narragansett
Best for: Sustainable & free-range farming
Why Choose Narragansett?
The Narragansett is a heritage breed known for its calm temperament, good meat quality, and adaptability to free-range systems.
Key Features:
- Gray-brown feathers with black and white accents.
- Toms weigh 22-28 lbs, hens 12-16 lbs.
- Excellent mothers (good for breeding operations).
- Hardy and disease-resistant.
Profitability Factors:
✔ Popular in heritage and organic markets.
✔ Good egg production (60-100 eggs/year).
✔ Lower mortality rates than commercial breeds.
Challenges:
✖ Slower growth (6-7 months to market weight).
Best for: Sustainable farms, heritage breeders.
6. Midget White
Best for: Small farms & backyard production
Why Choose Midget White?
The Midget White is a small, efficient meat turkey ideal for small-scale farmers and homesteaders.
Key Features:
- Compact size (toms: 16-20 lbs, hens: 8-12 lbs).
- Fast growth (reaches market weight in 14-16 weeks).
- Efficient feed conversion.
- Good for small freezers (no need to cut into parts).
Profitability Factors:
✔ Ideal for direct-to-consumer sales.
✔ Lower space requirements.
Challenges:
✖ Not suitable for large-scale production.
Best for: Small farms, homesteaders, farmers’ markets.
7. Black Spanish
Best for: Unique markets & exhibition
Why Choose Black Spanish?
The Black Spanish is a rare, all-black turkey breed prized for its unique appearance and flavorful meat.
Profitability Factors:
✔ High demand in specialty markets.
✔ Good for breeding and exhibition sales.
Challenges:
✖ Limited commercial demand.
Best for: Rare breed enthusiasts, niche markets.
Choosing the Best Turkey Breed for Profit
| Breed | Growth Rate | Market Weight | Best For | Profit Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broad Breasted White | Very Fast | 18-30 lbs | Large-scale meat production | ★★★★★ |
| Broad Breasted Bronze | Fast | 20-25 lbs | Heritage/organic markets | ★★★★☆ |
| Bourbon Red | Moderate | 16-30 lbs | Pasture-raised, gourmet | ★★★★☆ |
| Royal Palm | Slow | 10-20 lbs | Ornamental, small-scale | ★★★☆☆ |
| Narragansett | Moderate | 16-28 lbs | Sustainable farming | ★★★★☆ |
| Midget White | Fast | 8-20 lbs | Small farms, homesteads | ★★★☆☆ |
| Black Spanish | Slow | 15-20 lbs | Rare breed markets | ★★☆☆☆ |
Maximizing Profitability in Turkey Farming
1. Optimize Feed Efficiency
- Use high-protein starter feeds for poults (28% protein).
- Switch to grower feed (20-24% protein) after 8 weeks.
- Free-range turkeys can reduce feed costs by foraging.
2. Target the Right Market
- Commercial meat: Broad Breasted White.
- Organic/Heritage: Bourbon Red, Narragansett.
- Niche markets: Royal Palm, Black Spanish.
3. Reduce Mortality Rates
- Proper brooding temperature (95°F first week, reduce by 5°F weekly).
- Vaccinate against common diseases (e.g., Newcastle, coccidiosis).
- Avoid overcrowding (1-2 sq ft per bird in confinement).
4. Value-Added Products
- Sell smoked turkey, sausages, or deli meats for higher profits.
- Offer farm tours or turkey sales for Thanksgiving.
Here are 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about turkeys, covering their biology, behavior, and cultural significance:
1. What do turkeys eat?
Turkeys are omnivores and eat a varied diet, including seeds, nuts, insects, berries, and small reptiles. Domestic turkeys are often fed commercial poultry feed.
2. How long do turkeys live?
Wild turkeys live 3–5 years on average due to predators, while domesticated turkeys can live up to 10 years if not raised for meat.
3. Why do turkeys gobble?
Male turkeys (toms) gobble to attract females (hens) and establish dominance. They also make other sounds like clucks and purrs.
4. Can turkeys fly?
Wild turkeys can fly short distances (up to 55 mph in bursts) to escape predators, but domesticated turkeys are usually too heavy to fly.
5. What’s the difference between wild and domestic turkeys?
Wild turkeys are leaner, more agile, and have darker meat, while domestic turkeys are bred to be larger with more breast meat and are usually white-feathered.
6. Why are turkeys associated with Thanksgiving?
Turkeys became a Thanksgiving staple in the U.S. due to their abundance in early America and historical references to wildfowl at harvest celebrations.
7. Do turkeys have good eyesight?
Yes! Turkeys have excellent daytime vision (including color perception) and a nearly 360-degree field of view, helping them spot predators.
8. How fast can turkeys run?
Turkeys can run up to 20–25 mph, helping them escape threats.
9. Do turkeys really drown in the rain?
No, this is a myth. While turkeys might look up during rain (possibly leading to water entering their nostrils), they don’t drown from it.
10. Are male and female turkeys different?
Yes! Males (toms) are larger, have colorful wattles and snoods (fleshy face growths), and fan their tails. Females (hens) are smaller and duller in color.