Description
Bourbon Red Turkey
Breed Overview and Origin
The Bourbon Red Turkey is a rare heritage turkey known for its beautiful red and white color pattern, farm-friendly nature, and historic American background. If you want a traditional turkey for a backyard flock, small farm, homestead, exhibition project, or flavorful meat bird, this variety is a strong choice.
This breed was admitted into the American Standard of Perfection in 1909. It was developed in Pennsylvania and later taken to Kentucky, where it became especially popular in Bourbon County. That regional popularity helped give the breed its name.
Cackle Hatchery® offers Bourbon Red Turkey poults as part of its heritage turkey lineup. Cackle’s product page identifies this as a rare heritage turkey option available from the hatchery’s long-running poultry program.
Appearance and Characteristics
Bourbon Reds are one of the most attractive heritage turkey varieties. Their plumage includes rich reddish-brown body feathers with white markings, giving them a warm, traditional farmyard look.
This variety is often chosen for more than appearance. Bourbon Reds can make good farm and backyard turkeys because they are active, useful, and better suited to natural flock behavior than broad breasted production turkeys.
Cackle’s Turkey Breeds List Comparison Chart lists Bourbon Reds as active birds used for egg laying, meat, and exhibition, with APA recognition and Watch status through The Livestock Conservancy.
Rare Heritage Turkey Value
This variety belongs in Cackle’s Heritage Turkeys category. Heritage turkeys are generally preferred by customers who want traditional breeding ability, active foraging, and a more sustainable flock type than broad breasted turkeys.
Cackle’s article Heritage vs. Broad Breasted Turkeys explains that heritage turkeys are more sustainable because they breed naturally. The same article notes that Bourbon Red and Standard Bronze turkeys often rank highly in taste tests for flavorful meat.
For customers who care about heritage poultry, meat flavor, and long-term flock management, Bourbon Reds are one of the most appealing turkey choices.
Bourbon Red Turkey vs Broad Breasted Turkeys
Bourbon Reds are very different from broad breasted production turkeys.
Choose this heritage variety if you want a naturally breeding, active, traditional turkey with beautiful color and excellent farm appeal. Choose a broad breasted turkey if your main goal is the fastest growth and the largest breast size for meat production.
Cackle’s Turkey Mating Ratio for Good Fertility explains that broad breasted turkeys are designed for lots of meat and generally require artificial insemination, while heritage turkeys can reproduce through natural mating.
Bourbon Red Turkey vs Other Heritage Turkeys
This red heritage variety is a good option for customers who want a colorful, historic turkey with meat, exhibition, and backyard value.
Customers may also want to compare Blue Slate Turkey, Black Slate Turkey, Black Spanish Turkey, Narragansett Turkey, Royal Palm Turkey, and Heritage Bronze Turkey.
For customers who want hatchery choice rare turkeys instead of one specific breed, Cackle’s Surplus Rare Turkey Special may include Bourbon Red, Royal Palm, Blue Slate, Black Slate, Narragansett, Bronze Heritage Standard, and Black Spanish turkeys depending on hatch availability.
Free-Range and Homestead Use
Bourbon Reds can make good farm and backyard turkeys. Their active temperament fits customers who want birds that can forage, move naturally, and bring traditional poultry character to the property.
As with all turkeys, careful early care matters. Poults need a warm brooder, clean bedding, fresh water, proper turkey starter, and close attention during the first days after arrival.
Cackle’s How to Brood Turkey Poults is a helpful internal care resource for customers starting turkey poults. Cackle’s Starve-Out in Turkey Poults explains that starve-out happens when poults fail to eat, but proper poult management can help prevent it.
Meat, Eggs, and Exhibition Value
Bourbon Reds can be raised for meat and exhibition, and hens may lay seasonal eggs. However, turkeys should not be promoted as high-production egg birds.
Cackle’s turkey comparison chart lists Bourbon Reds for egg laying, meat, and exhibition, but rates turkey egg production as poor compared with high-laying poultry.
For realistic egg expectations, Cackle’s How Many Eggs Does a Turkey Lay? explains that even the best laying turkeys do not lay nearly as well as the best laying chickens.
Breeding and Natural Reproduction
Bourbon Reds are heritage turkeys, which means they can reproduce naturally when managed properly. This is one of the biggest advantages of choosing heritage turkeys over broad breasted types.
If customers plan to keep a breeding flock, they should pay close attention to male-to-female ratios, bird condition, and flock health. Cackle’s comparison chart lists a suggested mating ratio of 7 females to 1 male for Bourbon Reds and other heritage turkey varieties.
For more detail, link customers to Turkey Mating Ratio for Good Fertility.
Keeping Turkeys With Chickens
Some customers want to raise turkeys and chickens together. This can work in some setups, but customers need to understand the health risks first.
Cackle’s Keeping Turkeys With Chickens explains that conventional wisdom warns against keeping turkeys with chickens because turkeys are susceptible to blackhead disease, although many backyard keepers do raise them together successfully.
For a deeper health resource, customers should also read Blackhead in Turkeys Is a Serious Disease.
Sexing Turkey Poults
Turkey poults can be difficult to sex when young. Customers should not expect turkey poults to be as easy to identify by sex as many chicken breeds.
Cackle’s Sexing Turkey Poults and Guinea Keets is a helpful internal resource for customers who want to understand sexing expectations.
Shipping Note
Cackle Hatchery® cannot ship turkeys to Hawaii. Keep this shipping note clear on the product page so customers can plan before ordering.
Availability changes by hatch date and season. Customers should check the Bourbon Red Turkey product page and Cackle’s Availability Chart before placing an order.
Is This Breed Right for Your Flock?
Choose this variety if you want:
A rare heritage turkey
A red and white color pattern
A good farm or backyard turkey
A naturally reproducing turkey breed
A bird admitted to the Standard in 1909
A turkey with Bourbon County, Kentucky history
A bird for meat and exhibition
A flavorful heritage meat option
A variety to compare with other rare heritage turkeys
A Cackle turkey poult option for homesteads and small farms
Overall, this is a great choice if you want a beautiful, historic, naturally reproducing turkey with strong farm appeal. It is not the best fit for customers who want the fastest broad breasted meat turkey, but it is excellent for homesteads, small farms, heritage poultry keepers, exhibition-minded customers, and anyone who enjoys traditional American poultry breeds.
Customers still comparing turkey breeds can use Cackle’s Turkeys for Sale, Heritage Turkeys, or Turkey Breeds List Comparison Chart.
Breed History and Preservation
The Bourbon Red Turkey was developed in Pennsylvania and later taken to Kentucky, where it became especially popular in Bourbon County. That Kentucky connection helped give the breed its name.
Its admission into the American Standard of Perfection in 1909 gives it long-standing recognition as a standard turkey variety. Today, the breed remains valuable for customers who want heritage poultry with beauty, flavor, and natural breeding ability.
Cackle’s turkey comparison chart lists Bourbon Reds with Watch status through The Livestock Conservancy, which adds preservation appeal for customers interested in less common poultry varieties.
Recognition and Availability
Cackle Hatchery® sells Bourbon Red Turkey poults as part of its heritage turkey lineup. Availability changes by season and hatch date, so customers should check the product page and Availability Chart before ordering.
Customers who like this variety may also want to compare Blue Slate Turkey, Black Slate Turkey, Black Spanish Turkey, Narragansett Turkey, Royal Palm Turkey, Heritage Bronze Turkey, and Surplus Rare Turkey Special.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like this variety, you may also want to compare Blue Slate Turkey, Black Slate Turkey, Black Spanish Turkey, Narragansett Turkey, Royal Palm Turkey, Heritage Bronze Turkey, and Surplus Rare Turkey Special.
Helpful Cackle resources include Starve-Out in Turkey Poults, How to Brood Turkey Poults, Turkey Mating Ratio for Good Fertility, Keeping Turkeys With Chickens, How Many Eggs Does a Turkey Lay?, Blackhead in Turkeys Is a Serious Disease, and Sexing Turkey Poults and Guinea Keets.
For browsing, use Turkeys for Sale, Heritage Turkeys, Turkey Bargain Specials, Turkey Breeds List Comparison Chart, and Availability Chart.
FAQ: Bourbon Red Turkey
What is a Bourbon Red Turkey?
It is a rare heritage turkey known for red and white plumage, natural breeding ability, historic American roots, and strong farmyard appeal.
Where did this turkey originate?
The breed was developed in Pennsylvania and later taken to Kentucky, where it became popular in Bourbon County.
Why is it called Bourbon Red?
The name comes from its popularity in Bourbon County, Kentucky, along with its red color pattern.
When was it admitted into the American Standard of Perfection?
It was admitted into the American Standard of Perfection in 1909.
Is this a heritage turkey?
Yes. It is a rare heritage turkey and appears in Cackle’s heritage turkey offerings.
Can this breed reproduce naturally?
Yes. Heritage turkeys can reproduce naturally when properly managed.
How is this turkey different from broad breasted turkeys?
This is a heritage variety with natural breeding ability and traditional farm traits. Broad breasted turkeys are bred for fast meat production and generally require artificial insemination.
Is this variety good for meat?
Yes. It can be raised for meat, and Cackle’s heritage turkey article notes that Bourbon Red and Standard Bronze turkeys often rank highly in taste tests for flavorful meat.
Is it good for exhibition?
Yes. Cackle’s turkey comparison chart lists Bourbon Reds for egg laying, meat, and exhibition.
Is this a good egg-laying turkey?
It may lay seasonal eggs, but turkeys are not high-production egg birds. Cackle explains that even the best laying turkeys do not lay nearly as well as the best laying chickens.
Are turkey poults hard to brood?
Turkey poults need careful early care. Cackle’s starve-out article explains that poults may fail to start eating, but good management can help prevent the issue.
Can turkeys live with chickens?
Sometimes, but blackhead disease is the main concern. Cackle’s article on keeping turkeys with chickens explains both the risk and why some backyard keepers still raise them together.
Can Cackle Hatchery® ship turkeys to Hawaii?
No. Cackle Hatchery® cannot ship turkeys to Hawaii.
Does Cackle Hatchery® sell this variety as poults?
Yes. Cackle sells Bourbon Red Turkey poults.
Where can I check availability?
Check Cackle Hatchery’s Availability Chart and the product page for current hatch and shipping options.
fkflaspo –
I bought one turkey from the chick truck and 3 days later it died. I raised turkeys and my other ones are alive and healthy but I got them from different person when I bought the turkey from the chick truck it was in bad condition I’m not buying from these crackle again unless I get a refund it was a $16 turkey.
Cackle Hatchery (store manager) –
We’re truly sorry to hear about the loss of your turkey. We understand how disappointing it is, especially when the others have done well. As noted at the bottom of all Chick Truck receipts:
“Due to circumstances that are out of our control, we cannot guarantee the health and livability of poultry once they leave the facility, and we DO NOT offer any refunds or replacements.”
Once poultry leaves our care, their health can be affected by many factors beyond our control, such as stress from transport, environmental changes, or other variables. While we’re not able to offer a refund or replacement, we do appreciate your feedback and hope we’ll have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
nkuhl1 –
We received a red bourbon hen in our surprise box in April 2022. She has been a great pet, gentle, affectionate, sings us songs but also not afraid to complain to us when she’s unhappy about something. She starting laying eggs about 6 weeks ago and has been producing quite well. Keeping up with the chickens. We are surprised and pleased! Overall, pleased with all our birds from our mini surprise box!
arndtcole2 (verified owner) –
I drove to cackle and picked up my turkeys in april. All are still alive, healthy and growing very fast. They’re very inquisitive birds and do not shy away from me as other chickens and ducks do at their age. I hope they keep this friendly attitude as they’re going to be pets. Thank you very much for the quality birds.
Laurel Bowen (verified owner) –
I have used Cackle Hatchery for several years now and have always been impressed with the quality and vigor of the chickens and ducks. This year was my first foray into turkeys and the Bourbon Red arrived in great shape and are very vigorous. Thanks again, Cackle for your high standards and excellent service.
Squirrel –
White / black heritage turkeys
Always get exactly what I ordered from tackle hatchery always arrive healthy ,thank you for such great service and communication
MelissaMiko –
My Favorite Bird!
One of my Bourbon Red Tom’s is my most favorite bird. Caicos is extremely personable and interactive. He looks in my doors and windows for me to throw him dried mealworms, and interacts with my kids and indoor cats. Such a doll! Would definitely recommend.
JDsanja –
Happy with our replacements
We ordered Narragansett but there was an issue the day of pick-up, so the hatchery let us choose from other breeds. We got 1 blue Slate and the rest Red Bourbons. We have lost a couple along the way, but it is expected. Our remaining 2 Tom’s and 3 hens are getting big, but still fly like eagles haha. No fence will hold them. We love them! Thanksgiving is coming up, and this will be our first year to slaughter our own farm raised turkey, and it’s all thanks to cackle! Next year, we hope to allow the remaining Tom to breed with the hens. There is 1 blue Slate so it will be interesting to see what their poults look like lol.
Jon –
Healthy Poults
We received our order today and everyone was alert and healthy looking. We ordered 6 and got one extra 🙂 Can’t wait to watch these guys grow
Susan from Michigan –
Doing Wonderful!
My 4 bourbon reds are doing great! I think I have 3 male and 1 female. They are 4 months old now and I just started letting them out to free range during the day. Hoping and praying they don’t fly away! Thanks again!!
Big Valley Dave –
Bourbon Red’s
to all workers of Cackle thank you for the Bourbon Reds i ordered they are show turkeys here in southern ohio the poultey club begged me to show a few of the bourbon reds.folks am ordering in 2018.until then be safe
Jamie –
Friends and feathers
Bought 3 Bourbons from this hatchery along with 3 Blues, I find myself adoring the both but especially Bourbons, as they are very ppl oriented. At 2 weeks old, July 10th, they will fly at my arms as soon as the door is opened. They love to climb up and sit, enjoying their rubs. There is no fear in them. They do not startle or react as my Blues do, but are far more out going.
Chris H. –
Ordered 4 Bourbon Turkeys
Very happy with my order. The birds arrived alive and very healthy. Two months later and they are still thriving. Excellent packaging through the mail. I was very concerned about that, but no problem. Thank you for these beautiful birds. Happy Customer!!!
Sam (verified owner) –
Wonderful Turkeys!
I am so happy with the bourbon reds I received from you. I ordered 7 and you sent an extra for a total of 8. All 8 today are doing fabulous and growing so fast. I cant wait to see how many hens and toms I get. I will definitely be ordering from you again.
Elizabeth in Georgia –
Wonderful birds
We love our now-adult Bourbon Reds. Our hens are friendly, and our tom doesn’t care to be touched, but he actually guards us from our rooster, who likes to plot ambushes. These are healthy, beautiful birds.
Micah –
All arrived alive and healthy
Ordered ten turkeys and 5 bantams. I was a little nervous because this was my first time with turkeys and I had read all over the internet that they are fragile in their first week of life. Nevertheless ten turkeys and six bantams. I only ordered 5 bantams but you sent me one extra just in case. Great, healthy birds.
Dan Texas May 2009 –
Order arrival
A quick note to let you know the chicks arrived 5/6/09 in great condition! If you shipped on the 5th that was an overnight delivery.
Stuart Alabama June 2009 –
To whom it may concern
This morning i received all my chicks In a healthy vigorous state. For this I say Thank You!! Being in construction, I understand when things occur beyond our control, things are unseen and mistakes are made, When this occurs it is the followup that makes all of the difference to the customer. Well this followup has made all of the difference to me. This has made, in my eyes, Cackle Hatchery a superior company that I will certainly look to for my future orders. Once again…. Thank You for a job that started off rocky but ended up well done!!!
Ryan Tennessee May 2013 –
My order of broilers and turkeys
I ordered and received 30 Cornish X chicks, Red Ranger chicks and Bourbon Red poults. Thus far i am a few weeks into brooding them and have been happy with the birds I bought from you and will certainly buy from you again.
Elizabeth Maine March 2014 –
Thanks!
I want to tell you how much I like the qualities of your birds and their eggs. I hope that I will have many more amazing years with your chickens! THANK YOU!
Ryan Arkansas June 2011 –
Thanks!
We received our shipment of cayugas, turkeys and rouens today in Arkansas. I appreciate your swift response and beautiful birds! Thanks again!
Joann Nevada May 2011 –
Dear Folks at Cackle Hatchery
Our turkeys and chickens arrived today at the post office. They made it just fine…all but one turkey. And I think you sent an extra chick. They are in their brooder boxes and such and are doing fine. I want to thank all of you for your work and patience with me as a first time buyer and I look forward to doing business with you in the future.