Best northern free ranging turkey?

[MVchickens]

Looking for a heritage breed that will stand up to free ranging in the northern winters. What is your opinion on Narraganset, bronze, burbon red, chocolate, blue slate, midget white, and black spanish?

 

[Mike Winters]

narragansett were made for around where you live so im sure a new england winter wont bother them with good shelter

 

[Frosty]

I have over wintered Narragansett, Bourbon Red, Royal Palms, Regal Red, White Holland, and Broad Breasted White and Bronze. All do fine in the winter, I give them somewhere to get out of the weather and keep their feed dry. A heater for the water helps too. Mine have been through temps down to about -38F and extended periods where the high for the day is below 0F. Pick what you like and go for it!

 

[Jake Levi]

I kept and raised Wishard Turkeys in upstate NY where the winters got very bitter cold.

They did great. The only hatchery I know right now that has them is Sandhill.

The Wishard will free range around the area, c ome in for morning feeding, roost in trees around the homestead and raise their poults on their own, for me its hard to beat them for a homestead Turkey.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
That would be my choice and they grow to a nice table size bird worthy of the holidays.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

I would also recommend the Narragansett, as it is native to your area. However, I would acquire stock from your planting zone. They will survive better than say some from Texas or here in Arkansas. I have a young Narragansett tom from Greg Oakes in Ontario. He should do well her this winter. We are building a new turkey coop. Next summer it will have misters in it to help cool him. Most birds can handle the extreme cold if they have shelter. Extreem heat is a killer.