Heritage Turkey Breeds
What is a Heritage style turkey?!
Simply put a heritage style turkey is first and foremost able to breed naturally. They are the old style of turkey that have been around forever. They are not as large as the commercial broad breasted types, but they don't have the same health issues either. Heritage types are more intelligent then commercial breeds, they tend to be hardier and more vigorous as well. They are excellent foragers and have greater disease resistance as well. They can fly! and if given the chance will roost high to keep away from predators. I was surprised by how sociable they are as well.
My first attempt with turkeys were the commercial whites, it was horrible! They were mean and very dumb, they weren't very hardy and by the time they were big enough to eat we only had 1 left! The whole experience was not very good, and i had no intention of keeping turkeys ever again! Then I got involved with heritage style turkeys, WOW what a difference! They look great and come in many colours, they're active foragers, sociable, curious and intelligent (not brain surgeons, but not meat heads either!). They have much better instincts then the commercial bird as well. After dealing with them, I can't see a time where we wont have turkeys!
Poults can be more delicate when first hatched then chicks. The biggest struggle is getting them off to a good start. They learn a lot by imitation. when they eat you'll see them steal food off each others beaks, you can capatolize on that when starting off day old poults. Take a pinch of feed in your fingers and let the poults steal it from you. it creates a feeding frenzy and has helped us cut our losses to nill. Check out the following video to see the difference between hand offered food and just leaving them to their own devices. There is a lot of food in their brooder and scattered around the ground, but what ever you have it must be better.
My first attempt with turkeys were the commercial whites, it was horrible! They were mean and very dumb, they weren't very hardy and by the time they were big enough to eat we only had 1 left! The whole experience was not very good, and i had no intention of keeping turkeys ever again! Then I got involved with heritage style turkeys, WOW what a difference! They look great and come in many colours, they're active foragers, sociable, curious and intelligent (not brain surgeons, but not meat heads either!). They have much better instincts then the commercial bird as well. After dealing with them, I can't see a time where we wont have turkeys!
Poults can be more delicate when first hatched then chicks. The biggest struggle is getting them off to a good start. They learn a lot by imitation. when they eat you'll see them steal food off each others beaks, you can capatolize on that when starting off day old poults. Take a pinch of feed in your fingers and let the poults steal it from you. it creates a feeding frenzy and has helped us cut our losses to nill. Check out the following video to see the difference between hand offered food and just leaving them to their own devices. There is a lot of food in their brooder and scattered around the ground, but what ever you have it must be better.
Breeds We are Working With
Blue Slate
Blue Slates are an APA recognized breed. Blue slates like any other blue bird produce 3 colours when bred. Black birds (which so far have proven to be a bit bigger), Self blue birds (Light clear blue with no flecking), and slate blue birds (darker blue with black flecking). you can get 100% slate babies from breeding a black bird to a self blue bird. We prefer not to get black birds so our flock consists of self blue and slate birds only. Standard weights are 33lbs for a tom and 18lbs for a hen. That tends to be plenty for most families.
Looks like my birds are carriers for bronze and white, I'm getting the odd chick popping up in my hatches
Looks like my birds are carriers for bronze and white, I'm getting the odd chick popping up in my hatches
Bourbon Red
one of my breeding hens proving shes every bit as pretty as the boys!
Another Beautiful large breed of turkey's that we keep are bourbon reds. They are also APA recognized. Both toms and jennies are a rich dark mahogany with sharply contrasting white wings and tail. Young birds however are assorted shades of buff and rust, as they age they turn to mahogany. Taste testing has put them as the best tasting breed of turkey available. Mature toms should weigh in around 33 lbs, hens around 18lbs. Truly beautiful birds to see in person, toms are magnificent!