A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[R2elk]

But they aren't on the conservation priority list...

That's because they aren't a recognized variety. There are far more Royal Palms than there are Sweetgrass. I don't get concerned about some outfit's ill conceived conservation priority list.

Due to the huge numbers of backyard flocks, these groups have no idea what the actual population of heritage turkeys is.

 

[memphis]

I'm agreeing with R2elk. Sweetgrass would be my choice.

 

[Finnie]

Get Sweetgrass.

I agree!

Due to the huge numbers of backyard flocks, these groups have no idea what the actual population of heritage turkeys is.

I agree again

I see all kinds of turkey ads on CL but none ever for Sweetgrass.

I'm pretty sure that all of the poults I have kept this year are only genetically possible to be Sweetgrass or Palm, with the extra genes for blue, red and pencilled floating around. My plan is to keep my 6 favorite (out of 12) that look the most like Sweetgrass, and only breed Sweetgrass going forward.

 

[rjohns39]

So where do I find hatching eggs for sweetgrass?

 

[rjohns39]

It took me two years to get my hatchery stock into something close to the standard.

 

[R2elk]

So where do I find hatching eggs for sweetgrass?

That is a really good question. I got my hatching eggs from Porter. You have to be very careful where you source your Sweetgrass from because some people are trying to pass Calicos off as Sweetgrass.

One thing to understand is that the only difference between the Sweetgrass and the Royal Palm is the Narragansett color gene that the Royal Palm has. If you have a Sweetgrass tom, you can make more Sweetgrass by breeding him to a Royal Palm hen. The female offspring will be pure Sweetgrass. The male offspring will be phenotypically Sweetgrass but will be carrying the hidden Narragansett gene. You don't want to use those toms for breeding but the hens will not have the Narragansett gene because it is sex linked and the Royal Palm hen cannot pass it on to her female offspring.

 

[R2elk]

It took me two years to get my hatchery stock into something close to the standard.

Did you see the thread about Royal Palms not meeting the standard?

Royal Palm Breed Standard issues

If you want to keep going with Royal palms, by all means do it.

 

[PolarBerry]

I see lots of sweetgrass around here.

So, my last turkey incubation had one sole hatch survivor. No one on my wait list wants one lone baby this late in the season. Question: should I raise it up in a corner of the coop and attempt to introduce to my existing flock (aka it’s parents) or should I keep trying to find someone to take the poor thing? I’ve had like 4 people flake on taking it... for FREE. More food I put in less likely I am to be ok with free. Could always leg-band and turn into Easter dinner before breeding season hits.

 

[memphis]

PolarBerry....Aurora had her hens raise that one communal baby this summer. Or you can just stick it in your pocket & raise it yourself! See? That's why I dont breed turkeys....I'd have my pockets full of poults.
Still agreeing with R2elk & Finnie....just love those sweetgrass Rjohns. Something to think about....

 

[rjohns39]

I have BR, Nari, and black Toms and I have RP hens. How does one create a sweetgrass variety?