Heritage & Exhibition Turkey Thread

[elizmartin]

Check with Lucky Pickens farm near Danville, AR. She has some Midget Whites available a few weeks ago. Looked nice when I visited her a few months ago.

Remember, the Midget Whites are not in the Standard. However, you can show them under the label of Beltsville Whites and compete in the shows.

HI, i have a few what were sold to me as Midget Whites, I love them, but there continues to be the controversy of Beltsville Whites or Midget Whites which are they really? I am not sure how one could really tell what you really have.I keep reading conflicting information...... I have not weighed mine but they are small and personable. For those of you that have feed stores that order poultry and cannot find someone close for your chosen variety....Ask your feed store if they could add the turkeys to their order for you....Most near me will pre-order with a deposit. You don't have to worry about minimum numbers either.

I have had mine almost 4 years and have found them very good parents. I lost my older hen last year saving the younger hen and nest from coyotes that breached my fence,,,,,,The year before the younger hen took on tom tendencies to protect the family unit when the real tom was penned elsewhere, This year i kept them altogether and the Tom let the young cuddle, sleep on top of him, and feed with him, It was very eye opening.

I plan on getting another small variety this coming year....

15littlem, something to consider too in wild verses domestic especially, is even thou most turkeys can/will fly, the females generally stay close and like to roost high, but the wilder variety may look for greener pastures if they don't have enclosed runs or clipped wings. Mine generally stay within the 1 fenced acre around the house/barn.
eliz

 

[elizmartin]

For eye candy, Porter Rare Heritage Turkeys, www.porterturkeys.com , Many beautiful varieties, Also www.feathersite.com under turkeys show many variety and a brief history with some breeder links.

Also many hatcheries contract from breeders for certain types of poultry rather than breeding themselves...

eliz

 

[ashandvine]

Check with Lucky Pickens farm near Danville, AR. She has some Midget Whites available a few weeks ago. Looked nice when I visited her a few months ago.

Remember, the Midget Whites are not in the Standard. However, you can show them under the label of Beltsville Whites and compete in the shows.

I didn't realize that and I won't show them as BW because they aren't. They are different genetically speaking. Seems I have a pension for birds that aren't recognized.
Is there another thread that might have more in the way of information or people willing to talk turkey?

Mr Hall... my son is through the roof as you can imagine. He is still asking about Orps... we have the one and that's enough for now. Over run with birds here

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I ordered some turkeys from Porter's this last year and I couldn't be happier! They turned out wonderful!

 

[Arielle]

I ordered from Porter's too. THe auburns are rather pretty, though not APA. ANd the others added in make an interesting mob: sweetgrass, narrigansetts and bourbon reds.

At this point I am struggling with a few issues. Primarily, feed efficiency. Milled feed is at an all time high, and feeding a slow growing bird is becoming. .. . . . financially stressful. I'm caught between finances and the need to help preserve the old breeds. ANd putting decent food on the table-- looking for some chicken yesterday at the grocery left me sickened-- I could find only one package with out added broth. WTH?

 

[hobbychicken]

I have slate turkeys, 4 toms and 3 hens. Hope to hatch out some this year. Raised them from poults last year. Some of all phases slate, self blue and black. Anyone else raise slates? Plan on ordering some from porters this year for different genetics.

 

[Arielle]

I have slate turkeys, 4 toms and 3 hens. Hope to hatch out some this year. Raised them from poults last year. Some of all phases slate, self blue and black. Anyone else raise slates? Plan on ordering some from porters this year for different genetics.

That is a good plan;; on another thread the slates were listed as a large faster growing turkey compared to other breeds of turkey. Hope you will report back will your experience.

 

[aguilera]

I was wondering, if they deside to roost outside like on a fence instead of under a roof or shelter and its cold and it rains, will they get sick/die or will they be okay? This is my 1st time with turkeys, thanx everyone!!!

 

[mamawolf544]

I raise Blue Slates, along with Midget Whites, Royal Palms, Chocolates and Rio Grande. They all grow about the same to me, slow and steady.

Mine have covers over their roost in the breeding pen but when they free range they just sllep anywhere from my roof, porch or on the fence and it doesn't bother them.

I do have poults coming from Porters...Sweetgrass, Self Blues, Bourbon Reds and Red Pencilled Palms.

 

[ashandvine]

It was suggested to me to not let them roost anywhere because of the size of their poo. I didn't relish the idea of large turkey droppings just anywhere.