It sure sounds like many of the heritage varieties are way less rare than the not so current survey data indicate. That is particularly true for the varieties now being propagated by multiple hatcheries. Thats good news for sure. It would be a shame to lose the heritage birds. They are not only beautiful and delicious, they also in aggregate represent a big chunk of American tradition and genetic diversity for the developement of new color varieties like Kevin Porter and others are doing. Anyway IMHO "we" are enjoying a hobby that will have dividends down the road for us and turkeys.
Steve is more right than he knows. In my opinion people who get to know turkeys just have to love them. They are one of our national treasures.
Yes Kevin has done some very intersting breeding, he does have a group on turkey color genetics. The down side is the varieties that don't breed true aren't considered "heritage".