I want another turkey, help me decide

[cashela]

So as you know I lost my tom, meat bird meant to be a pet. I still have my hen who is with my monster chicken so she has company. I was thinking I'd like to get another one, I'd really like another tom. I know I want a heritage breed. I thought I liked the Blue slates but I saw some at the Topsfield Fair the other day and I didn't fall in love with them like I had before.

I want something that is going to be handsome

We have 2.9 acres, most of it is woods, the rest is horse corral. My hen seems to stick close to the house. We are on a busy road. I have a cage that I would have to add a roost to. Of course there are a ton of trees and fencing for a turkey should it decide to roost there lol. The neighbors are pretty close. I'm not worried about the gobbling as there are roosters and a donkey in the neighborhood now. I've done some reading and read that the heritage breeds are more likely to travel and are good at flying. Right now they are only out during the days on the weekends because I worry something will get them when I am not home. Plus the days are getting shorter so I worry that something might get them before I get home at night. They have two cages that I joined together, that are 8 feet long by four feet wide each plus a small house that they come and go as they please.

I had great joy in my tom and hen following me around the yard and although they wouldn't let you really touch them they were fascinating to watch and have them stand near me.

I think the Royal Palms are nice. Bourbons are ok. I think I want to look at more pics of a naragansett (sp?) and perhaps a bronze?

Any suggestions on what would make a great pet for my situation? Oh and I am in NH so I have to deal with cold new england winters.

 

[Plain_View_Farm]

Cashela,
Of our breeds we have Bourbon Red, Black Spanish and Royal Palm. The friendliest of all of ours are the Bourbons. We hand raised each and every one of them either from day old poults we bought or hatched ourselves so that is not the determining factor why they are friendlier than the others.

That's just our experience with them,
David

 

[BeccaOH]

I have Bourbon Reds. They are great to have, large, and very handsome. My friend has Royal Palms. They are a smaller bird, which is best for some yards, but her tom is very mean compared to my 2 BR toms.

I had a Blue Slate hen for several months. She was a nice turkey, but that color on a large bird just doesn't do it for me in the looks department.

 

[hunter1hall]

I really like the bronze. They have so many colors, especially in the sunlight. I also like narraganset (wrong spelling Im sure).