A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[duluthralphie]

I wonder if there are not some true MW around that people have... it wasn't that long ago that the guy retired https://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark-item/midget-white-turkey

I doubt it, I find it too convenient when someone finds these birds.

Also they were not economically viable in the past, why would they be now? I have some RP hens if not for the black I could pass off as midgets. I am betting there are lots of Beltsvilles that could be passed off as Midget whites.

BTW the claim is 90 birds where found in Arkansas or Alabama. A flock of 90??? really? If someone has 90 they would be known. A flock of 9, maybe. 90 No way.


90 to me is someone breeding up small beltsvilles to make a killing.

 

[casportpony]

Chances are 9,864,325 to 1 against you having any real midget whites...

So I can never tell if people are joking. . If this is true, why? Are they that hard to come by?

 

[rjohns39]

If I was to want to develop a "midget" turkey that is where I would start, the Beltsvilles and the RP's. To me the New Hollands are too large.

The inbreeding of the smaller birds generation after generation would be the key, IMHO.
Stunted growth is what you would go after. It would be particularly helpful to start with two or three lines of turkey that are as distantly related as possible.

Keep those lines inbred to themselves as you shrink them, then breed the lines together at the end and hope for no new hybrid vigor to destroy your generations of work.

I think having the separate as possible lines would not (with luck) cement in all the negative traits one line would after X (more than 10 is my guess) of generations. This is not something for us old guys to start.

Definitely a game for the young... Next spring I'm going to have to buy more hatching eggs in an attempt to diversify the genetics of my RIWs and hollands.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

So I can never tell if people are joking. . If this is true, why? Are they that hard to come by?

they no longer exist

 

[casportpony]

Um, never mind, I just finished reading the thread.

 

[casportpony]

they no longer exist

I feel silly!

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I feel silly!

lol no worries, i wasnt sure if you were going to read back so wanted to just tell you

 

[rjohns39]

This is good read for those interested in the status of our breeds.

 

[casportpony]

I just assumed that they were real because I have seen many hatcheries offering them for sale.

FWIW, peafowl people are doing the same sort of chit.

 

[rjohns39]

I just assumed that they were real because I have seen many hatcheries offering them for sale.

FWIW, peafowl people are doing the same sort of chit.

I find it interesting that the slow food article said the remaining midgets went to beltsville, guess Ralph wasn't far off the mark.