Which turkey breeds are best for flock life?

[HarleyBarley]

I just want to diversify from only chickens. I don't want a meat bird, just a pair of hens who can live our their days hanging out. What breeds do you reccomend?

 

[Molpet]

Any heritage variety of turkeys. It's hard to sex until 4-6 months old. Big box farm stores usually carry broad breasted bronze or white, meat birds. A local breeder would be best.

 

[Amer]

Any heritage turkey variety... Personality can depend upon the variety, but it depends more upon the individual. Find what you think is pretty.

 

[Bo Garrett]

There is a calidescope of colors from which to choose, check out Porter's Heritage Turkey Farm's site for excellent pictures of many of the varieties. Rarely do hatcheries or even Porter's sex turkeys so you'll want to choose your variety then find a breeder and purchase some young hens. I have found my Holland Whites and Sweetgrass birds to be the most gentle, my Holland White hens won't stay out from under my feet and readily let me pick them up. I have seriously considered selling all my chickens but the layers and keeping only turkeys, they are in my opinion, the most interesting bird in the world and should have been our "National Bird" as Benjamin Franklin suggested.
Best wishes in your search for your own favorite variety of turkeys.

Blessings,

Bo