Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
research into heritage breeds. SARE is currently funding a study to determine biological fitness
and productivity in range-based systems comparing standard turkey varieties (heritage breeds)
superior health and survivability of standard turkeys in range-based systems. Since organic tur-
key poults must be reared without the use of antibiotics, the natural immunity and healthy vigor
of heritage turkeys may be of interest to organic growers. These birds are also known to forage
well and produce excellent flavor over their long grow-out time. However, these breeds do
have disadvantages, particularly to the organic grower who may have to put a substantial
amount of organic feed and time into this specialty bird. See
table 7
for more on turkey breeds
and their availability.
Table 7. Turkey Breeds
Average
price per
100 chicks
Availability (see ap-
pendix 3)
Breed
Characteristics
Broad Breasted
White, Large
Broadwhite
A very large, white, fast-growing bird with excellent feed conver-
sion. Tom, 24 lbs. at 24 weeks; hen, 17/24. Cannot reproduce nat-
urally. Good foraging once fully feathered.
Reich, Welp's, Hoffman,
Mt. Healthy, Privett,
Ridgeway, Townline
$2.00-$4.65
each poult
Giant Bronze,
Broad-Breasted
Bronze
Reich, Welp's, Hoffman,
Mt. Healthy, Privett,
Ridgeway
A large, dark, fast-growing bird with good feed conversion. Cannot
reproduce naturally.
$2.75-$4.80
each poult
Welp's, Hoffman, Privett,
Ridgeway, Walters
Beltsville White
White. Young tom weighs 17 lbs. at 6 mos.
Black. Young tom weighs 23 lbs. at 6 mos. Good eating bird, but
hard to remove black pinfeathers.
Welp's, Hoffman, Privett,
Ridgeway, Walters
$7.45-$9.20
each poult
Black
Ashy blue. Young tom weighs 23 lbs. at 6 mos. Good eating bird
that does not roam far.
Welp's, Hoffman, Privett,
Ridgeway, Walters
$7.45-$9.00
each poult
Blue Slate
White and red. Young tom weighs 23 lbs. at 6 mos. Production
type conformation with a heavy breast. Good forager.
Welp's, Hoffman, Privett,
Ridgeway, Walters
$7.45-$9.20
each poult
Bourbon Red
Bronze, Stand-
ard
$7.45 each
poult
Copper bronze and black. Young tom weights 25 lbs. at 6 mos.
Privett
Jersey Buff
Reddish buff and white. Young tom weighs 21 lbs. at 6 mos.
Black, gray, tan, and white. Young tom weighs 23 lbs. at 6 mos.
Needs proper nutrition to attain weight.
Narragansett
Welp's, Privett, Walters $7.45-$8.00
White with black edging. Young tom weighs 16 lbs. at 6 mos. Not a
meat bird.
$6.00-$9.20
each poult
Royal Palm
Walters
White. Young tom weighs 25 lbs. at 6 mos. Very gentle, easily
managed, good meat bird
$10 each
poult
White Holland
Walters
White Midget
White. Young tom weighs 13.8 lbs. at 6 mos.
Wild Turkey
(captive bred)
Welp's, Hoffman, Privett,
Ridgeway, Walters
$7.95-$9.20
each poult
Very hardy bird with minimal meat. Flighty and requires netting.
