So is a Royal Palm Turkey good for eating. I rescued one from the feed store 3 days ago (I say rescued because I hate seeing animals in little cages). I'm not really sure how old he is. The feed store guy said that he was from the spring. His beard is about 6-7 inches long if that helps. I just can't imagine that he would be any good to eat. When I first picked him up I noticed how scrawny he is and how far sunken in his chest was. No meat what so ever. Is this normal? Maybe it was just the way he was kept. His tail feathers are pretty much gone and his chest has the feathers warn off. He hardly ever eats because he's constantly struting trying to get all of the chickens and turkeys to notice him. Anyone?
If you are used to the Broad Breasted variety you will find a Royal Palm "scrawny" in the breast area. They are slower growing than the hybrids and not bred for the great big breast that you would find on a Butterball in the store. Thoses are all Broad Breasted. It would be like comparing a Cornish X with a standard dual purpose breed. You can still eat them, but they won't be as big,as fast or as meaty in the breast as the hybrids. They are really beautiful though.... jane
that being said a turkeys is a turkey and alot of people prefer the heritage breeds its a matter of opinion no not as much meat but still a turkey and u cannot naturally breed broad breasted birds so it kinda whatever u want
I sure wish I lived closer; I am trying to get a heritage flock together and Royal Palms and Blue Slates top my list. I am looking for breeds that self fertilize so I can hatch my own eggs.
Quote:There is a night and day difference taste wise between a heritage and broad breasted turkey. The ALBC (American livestock breeds conservency) did a blind taste test not to long ago and the Midget White was voted as best tasting, and I think the Bourbon red came in 2nd. The broad beasted was at the bottom Steve in NC
