Recessive Slate Turkeys (from Porter's)

[BroodyHuman]

Just got on a waitlist for poults through a local breeder! I'm so excited!

 

[Heritageturkey]

Just got on a waitlist for poults through a local breeder! I'm so excited!

On a contract as well?

 

[BroodyHuman]

Yes, breeders who sell poults from Porters breeding stock use the same contract wording.

It's honestly a great contract, I've seen similar in the working dog world.

 

[R2elk]

DO you think they will have this kind of contract forever for the variety? Or if I wait a few years do you think they will start selling them without the contract? Thanks!

Porter's now sells the Recessive Slates without requiring a contract.

 

[Bo Garrett]

These birds are magnificent, I have about 12 of them but there are problems with the feather quality in this variety. They are much like self blues in that they have poor webbing of the sex feathers over the saddle and tail making them appear ragged.
All in all, a very beautiful color, soft powder blue with typical bronze like barring in the wings and white tipped feathers over the saddle, tail and breast of females.

 

[LittleBANTAMchickens]

Have you guys seen the new gene Porter's brought into the US? It is just beautiful! BUT... in order to buy any poults, you must sign a very rigid contract. I really, really want this variety, and genetics is my passion in all poultry, so I find it super exciting!... But the terms of the contract makes me uncomfortable. I feel like you could even accidentally violate it and owe them $10,000. I get that it is to try to weed out anyone who isn't serious about breeding them, but still, it's pretty intense. DO you think they will have this kind of contract forever for the variety? Or if I wait a few years do you think they will start selling them without the contract? Thanks! (Picture of recessive slate and the content of the contract are both below.)

The Buyer agrees to take good care of these birds, feed and house properly. Their shelter and any fenced in area must be secure. If found to be allowed to run freely, or found to be neglected, abused or allowed to live in poor health or poor conditions the Seller has all rights to demand repossession, resale or slaughter of these birds with no refund to the Buyer. The death, injury or loss of said animal(s) due to theft, carelessness, disease, recklessness, abuse, neglect, or accident will not entitle the Buyer to any compensation from the Seller. In the event the Buyer is unable to keep these birds for any reason, the Buyer agrees to either sell to a third party Buyer which is first approved by original Seller or slaughter the remaining birds. Buyer must agree to maintain pure breeding stock as originally purchased from Seller, absolutely no crossbreeding is allowed, if Buyer has other turkey varieties an enclosure(s) separate from other varieties will have to be maintained to prevent crossbreeding. Any birds produced must be wing or leg banded with a band that has a number to identify each individual bird. Buyer will give the band numbers and sex (when known) to original Seller which will be recorded in a registry that will be maintained by original Seller. Buyer agrees to limit breeding to only what can humanely be housed without overcrowding at below said property. When new bloodlines are desired Buyer agrees to purchase only from original Seller. When Buyer desires to sell breeding stock, (egg sales not allowed) third party Buyer will have to be first approved by the original Seller. The same contract will also be used for third party Buyers, This will be provided by the original Seller to the third party Buyer before any transactions can be made. Sale price must first be approved by original Seller before any transactions can take place. Any extra birds that cannot be sold to an approved third party Buyer must be slaughtered or remain in possession of Buyer. If this contract is breached in any way a $10,000 penalty may be applied if Seller deems it necessary for damage caused to the preservation of this variety and all involved birds with the recessive slate gene must either be immediately slaughtered or sent to Seller at Buyer's expense. If Seller is forced to physically repossess said birds, Buyer will pay for all travel expenses incurred by Seller to do so.

What a controlled variety They’re beautiful birds, but would it be worth it?

 

[LittleBANTAMchickens]

Porter's now sells the Recessive Slates without requiring a contract.

That’s good

 

[Bo Garrett]

This variety first appeared in a flock of bronze birds in California in the 1930's, they subsequently disappeared in the U.S. but the genetics were maintained in exported flocks and that is how Kevin was able to reintroduce them to the U.S. a few years ago. A contract has not be required for over two years now and I would suppose that was done to maintain the integrity of the genetics to keep them from their earlier fate in the U.S.
Sad thing about the poultry fancy is that when a fancier grows weary of a breed or variety and disperses them their fate is often that of the Dodo or Auk, every breed and variety needs a champion or two to keep them around for future generations. The Nebraskan has disappeared and may never be remade because no one ensured their genetics were maintained now the spotting gene in turkeys may be lost forever.
I can say that the original pair of RS I started with were very good birds and I still have them. The hen lays like a leghorn and the poults are fairly hearty. They will have an occasional bronze colored feather but this is due to their bronze based genetics which are masked by the two copies of the recessive slate allele. Are they worth it? Short answer, Yes! You will enjoy these beautiful birds and they are productive as well.
Remember, all other turkey varieties are in need of help as well and it is up to us to ensure their survival beyond our generation. So, pick a variety, or maybe two, and stick with them or one day your kids or grandchildren may only be able to look at them as pictures in a book.

Blessings,

Bo