Best type of turkey for ornamental/pet purposes?

[lovesgliders]

We have quite the barnyard going on here, with ducks, geese, chickens, and guineas. I am really wanting to try my hand at raising a few turkeys this spring! The problem is that I don't know which breed(s) to go with. I am wanting something that is calm and friendly, but I have heard that the commercial meat breeds grow so much that they can actually fall and break their own sternums (or develop leg problems) and are unsuitable for pets. I want my turkeys to live a good, long time.

Flying, maternal instincts, noise, color... none of that really matters. We have no neighbors.

I got Lakenvelder chickens and was extremely disappointed with how flighty and spazzy they are. I don't need a lap turkey but I don't want an 18 lb version turkey-point-oh of my Lakenvelders. LOL

TIA!

 

[r4eboxer]

The pretty boy of the Turkey world is the Royal Palm, they are a small breed that is used primarily as eye candy but do make a decent small meat bird. If you are looking for friendliness the Narragansett is a friendly bird. It is a larger bird that is used a lot for meat. I have both breeds. I have one Narragansett hen that is very friendly and curious, thought the other hen I have of that breed is not really friendly at all.