Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The butcher weight for males is usually 12 to 15 pounds (5.5-7 kg) and for hens 8 to 10
pounds (3.5-5 kg).
Blue Slates are a gorgeous, slate-blue color and are a colorful addition to the turkey
yard. They are some of the gentlest of the turkeys and are hardy active foragers. Males
will have a butcher weight in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 pounds (7-9 kg).
Jersey Buff turkeys have been around for some time but nearly became extinct in
the 1980s when the majority of Americans turned to the commercial whites. An earlier
buff-colored turkey existed prior to the development of the Bourbon Red, but when the
Bourbon came into prominence, the Buff lost ground and eventually became extinct.
Jersey Buffs are a soft buff color with a pleasing pale yellow carcass. They are
slightly color-variable because of the mechanics of the buff color gene in turkeys; mul-
tiple shades of buff can be expected in a hatch. Similar to Bourbon Reds in size and
temperament, but not quite as adventurous, they still like a high roost. The buff color
appeals to some raisers and displeases others.
Chocolate turkeys have been around since before the Civil War, but nearly died out
during the 1980s when interest diminished in birds other than commercial whites. Beau-
tiful, chocolate-brown birds, they thrive as teenagers and adults when allowed to forage.
They are somewhat temperamental — more so than most turkey poults. They seem to
carry a lethal genetic defect in that a percentage of the poults die for no apparent reason
when they are one to three weeks old. After that period of time, they manage fine.
TURKEYS
Kevin and Jill Porter
Porter's Rare Heritage Turkeys, Fremont, Indiana
A VENTURE that started out selling colorful turkey feathers to Native American
groups has turned into a preservation facility for rare and heritage turkeys and a
breeding ground and research center for turkey color genetics. The Porters run the
most colorful poultry website I have ever seen, with fabulous photos of all of the re-
cognized color varieties of turkeys, as well as all of the crosses they have made to
study color genetics. They are true stewards of the preservation of turkeys and have
done a fabulous job of locating, increasing, and distributing these wonderful, color-
ful, and hardy specimens all over the United States and Canada.
The feather business that started it all is a truly remarkable international venture.
Their selection, with numerous types and color variations, is a sight to see. The Port-
ers have been able to turn this into a full-time business providing two needed ser-
vices: selling poults for breed perpetuation and preservation, and providing feathers
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