After much thinking and the fact that I now know how to butcher my own chickens. I decided that I'd like to get some turkeys next year. Originally I decided I wanted Narragansett because I like the look of them and they are a heritage breed so they could use some help. I was thinking that I might just want a breeding trio and perhaps I would sell any other I hatch and also butcher some for Thanksgiving although someone introduced the idea that I could butcher them all year long because you can eat turkey any time of the year. I actually never thought of that.
Anyway, I then came across Midget Whites. I never considered them because I personally find white birds to be ugly despite the fact that they may dress nicer. I would rather have a pretty bird walking around the yard for a few months, than a pretty bird sitting on the table for 1 day...or 5 minutes before people dig in. But their smaller size appeals to me since i don't have too much space and whatever birds I have would be free range If I were to butcher them through the year, I wouldn't need a 20 or 30 pound turkey. 10 lbs or less would be more than enough.
Now my questions:
If I kept both breeds as free range would they breed each other considering their size difference? I'd like to keep them purebred if I were to propogate either breed.
Would it be feasible to just keep Narragansett's and just butcher earlier for a small bird? WOuld the breast dimensions for a younger Narragansett be similar to those of a finished Midget White?
Are there any Midget Narragansetts? I think that's really what I need haha I've heard of Midget Bronze but I don't believe they exist any longer.
Anyway, I then came across Midget Whites. I never considered them because I personally find white birds to be ugly despite the fact that they may dress nicer. I would rather have a pretty bird walking around the yard for a few months, than a pretty bird sitting on the table for 1 day...or 5 minutes before people dig in. But their smaller size appeals to me since i don't have too much space and whatever birds I have would be free range If I were to butcher them through the year, I wouldn't need a 20 or 30 pound turkey. 10 lbs or less would be more than enough.
Now my questions:
If I kept both breeds as free range would they breed each other considering their size difference? I'd like to keep them purebred if I were to propogate either breed.
Would it be feasible to just keep Narragansett's and just butcher earlier for a small bird? WOuld the breast dimensions for a younger Narragansett be similar to those of a finished Midget White?
Are there any Midget Narragansetts? I think that's really what I need haha I've heard of Midget Bronze but I don't believe they exist any longer.
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