Turkeys For 2013

[Treebird]

If you really want to raise a turkey with a great social demeanor and gentle disposition, I recommend Narragansetts. I've raised them all but now only focus on two varieties but one variety I always thought was the best to work with was the Narragansett. Porters Rare Heritage Turkeys is a great place to buy stock from and he does have great Narragansetts.

 

[IAFarmGirl]

If you really want to raise a turkey with a great social demeanor and gentle disposition, I recommend Narragansetts. I've raised them all but now only focus on two varieties but one variety I always thought was the best to work with was the Narragansett. Porters Rare Heritage Turkeys is a great place to buy stock from and he does have great Narragansetts.

Treebird,

What 2 varieties do you raise now?

Also are hatchery poults like the chicks and just mutts with the proper/semi-proper colors? I know most hatchery chicks have a lot of leghorn in them and probably very little of the true breed they are supposed to represent. Is the same true for turkeys?

Thanks for your help and sorry about all the questions.

 

[Treebird]

I raise Regal Reds and Lilac Turkeys. They are not hatchery stock and I've got several years of work into them to improve size and color. I've raised Narragansetts, Blue and Royal Palms, Blue slates, Black spanish, Self Blues, Jersey Buffs, Bourbon Reds, Self Buffs, Bronze, Tiger Bronze, Eastern Wilds, Chocolates, and I'm sure there's more but to really concentrate on improving a breed I had two downsize to my two favorites.

 

[UlrikeDG]

Good to know for the fairs. THough my understanding from the turkey heritage thread, APA shows have different rules. Guess it all depends on where you want to show.

We definitely need more people showing turkeys !!

It totally depends on where you live and what kind of show. This is not an APA show.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Anyone here own Eastern Turkeys?

 

[heronz]

I have never had turkeys but was thinking about giving it a try.
Want a heritage breed with a good temperament.
Any advice?

 

[Treebird]

Narragansetts have the best temperment I've experienced. They want to be people more than they want to be turkeys.

 

[Uly235]

Im actually curious myself if anyone has raised Eastern wild or other wild turkeys. Im thinking of getting some from a place called Iowa Turkey Farm, they raise the eastern wild turkey, it's pure blood and all just also domestically raised. I'd like to have a turkey with minimal feed costs that also has good predatory skills. Ive only raised heritage, though I plan on do some of those again.

 

[fancyfowl4ever]

I raise Merriam wilds and they are hands down my favorit turkeys to raise. The wild turkeys are tough as nails healthwise and raised in the domestic setting they are usually just as tame as any other domestic turkey.

 

[Uly235]

Where do you manage to obtain your Merriam Turkeys? How are then foraging wise, i'd like to have something who can manage foraging well and have good predatory instincts such as great flying abilities.