A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Pyxis]

I have heard the "midget whites" are close but not the real "midget whites"..However, that is not a big deal as with sop's we deal with a bird that looks like and conforms too and "purebred" does not really count. We do not have pedigrees.

If I wanted midget whites I would start with beltsvilles and RP's. by selective breeding you could get to them in 10-15 generations is my bet.


Also they would be a place to start to get a jump on the number of generations needed. One of the things I like about the RP is there small size. The last time I processed a turkey (RP) and a Chicken (toad) together the RP dressed at 12 pounds the Chicken at over 15.

A silly question probably, but what would breeding in the royal palm do for the Beltsvilles that would make them more like Midget Whites?

 

[duluthralphie]

A silly question probably, but what would breeding in the royal palm do for the Beltsvilles that would make them more like Midget Whites?

If I recall the weights are slightly smaller, It may not do anything, but I like to add options to the future generations.

I would pick the smallest slowest developing birds for f2-f3-f4 and so on. Without starving them. I would keep them on a good diet of good protein and lots of exercise.

It may not do anything, who knows. You would have to breed the black out which would take a few generations.

 

[rjohns39]

Well, that would certainly explain why I can't find them! So maybe I will just go with the Beltsvilles.

If you are interested in the Beltsvilles, here's a good read. https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/beltsville They are currently listed as critically endangered.

 

[Pyxis]

If I recall the weights are slightly smaller, It may not do anything, but I like to add options to the future generations.

I would pick the smallest slowest developing birds for f2-f3-f4 and so on. Without starving them. I would keep them on a good diet of good protein and lots of exercise.

It may not do anything, who knows. You would have to breed the black out which would take a few generations.

Interesting! If Palms are smaller maybe I'll look at those instead. Originally I wanted royal palms, but my (horrible) neighbor has some and theirs look huge, so I thought they would be too large for what I'm looking for. But maybe they just have overly large birds.

Would you happen to have a picture of yours next to some chickens to show their size?

If you are interested in the Beltsvilles, here's a good read. https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/beltsville They are currently listed as critically endangered.

Thanks! I'll give that a read.

 

[memphis]

Louise is wondering why there is a turkey in the chicken spa! She was not amused.

 

[memphis]

Notice my garden gate decoration.

 

[Finnie]

Here is my rare "tailless turkey"

They are hard to catch on film.

 

[memphis]

Ooo! The elusive tailess turkey!! Did she already shed her tail?? I'm already seeing signs of an early molt here. Well, early for my girls who usually molt around October/November. And NOBODY is laying eggs!!

 

[rjohns39]

Louise is wondering why there is a turkey in the chicken spa! She was not amused. View attachment 1088669

I can never catch a photo of it, but my dux have a pool and I'll go out in the afternoon and they'll be in a circle around the pool quacking as loudly as they can and my turkey hens will be standing in the pool. I pull out the camera and everyone leaves.

 

[casportpony]

Louise is wondering why there is a turkey in the chicken spa! She was not amused.