Guide to Choosing the Right Turkey Variety for You
I am often asked about the different varieties of turkeys (turkeys are all the same breed, so the different colors are varieties with the breed) and how to choose when there are so many to choose from! Much depends on your goals, but sometimes it is just personal preference on what appeals to your eye. I hope this guide helps you.
Varieties in the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection which can compete in shows:
Beltsville Small White
Black
Bourbon Red
Bronze (Standard)
Narragansett
Royal Palm
Slate
White Holland
Varieties which make good meat birds:
All of the heritage varieties make good meat birds, as long as they are grown out for at least 6 months. The Standard Bronze is the largest but the standard weight for a young tom or young hen is only 2 pounds more than the other varieties (except the Royal Palm). The Royal Palm is typically a smaller turkey however weights vary among different bloodlines.
Best egg layers:
Like any poultry, good egg laying ability comes with selective breeding. Turkeys are seasonal layers and typically start laying the spring after the year they were hatched and continue laying until late summer to early fall. Unless forced by artificial lights, they typically do not lay in the winter.
Varieties which breed true (only the same color will result from breeding with same):
Black
Bourbon Red
Bronze (Standard)
Dilute Lilac
Lavender (aka Self Blue)
Lilac
Narragansett
Penciled Palm (regular black and white)
Red Sweetgrass
Royal Palm
Self Buff
Sweetgrass
White Holland
others
Pastel-colored varieties. These varieties have lighter hues and in many cases a mix of light colors, sometimes due to the presence of the narragansett gene, which will lighten colors. When that gene is present in a non-standard variety, it is called "dilute". The dilutes can be very attractive.
Blue Red Narragansett (aka Dilute Blue Red Bronze)
Dilute Lilac
Blue Narragansett (aka Dilute Red Slate)
Lavender (aka Self Blue)
Lilac
Varieties with easy-going temperament: In all my breeding and raising of heritage turkeys, I have never had one that was mean, or would attack. Such a bird would not stay around to breed. Some varieties seem more naturally calm and I have listed those. This does not mean the other varieties are not or cannot be calm, since individuals can vary within any variety and handling frequently from day-old on can really help make your birds calm and easy to handle.
Blue Narragansett (aka Dilute Red Slate)
Bourbon Red
Bronze (Standard)
Lavender (aka Self Blue)
Lilac
Narragansett
Slate
Varieties in the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection which can compete in shows:
Beltsville Small White
Black
Bourbon Red
Bronze (Standard)
Narragansett
Royal Palm
Slate
White Holland
Varieties which make good meat birds:
All of the heritage varieties make good meat birds, as long as they are grown out for at least 6 months. The Standard Bronze is the largest but the standard weight for a young tom or young hen is only 2 pounds more than the other varieties (except the Royal Palm). The Royal Palm is typically a smaller turkey however weights vary among different bloodlines.
Best egg layers:
Like any poultry, good egg laying ability comes with selective breeding. Turkeys are seasonal layers and typically start laying the spring after the year they were hatched and continue laying until late summer to early fall. Unless forced by artificial lights, they typically do not lay in the winter.
Varieties which breed true (only the same color will result from breeding with same):
Black
Bourbon Red
Bronze (Standard)
Dilute Lilac
Lavender (aka Self Blue)
Lilac
Narragansett
Penciled Palm (regular black and white)
Red Sweetgrass
Royal Palm
Self Buff
Sweetgrass
White Holland
others
Pastel-colored varieties. These varieties have lighter hues and in many cases a mix of light colors, sometimes due to the presence of the narragansett gene, which will lighten colors. When that gene is present in a non-standard variety, it is called "dilute". The dilutes can be very attractive.
Blue Red Narragansett (aka Dilute Blue Red Bronze)
Dilute Lilac
Blue Narragansett (aka Dilute Red Slate)
Lavender (aka Self Blue)
Lilac
Varieties with easy-going temperament: In all my breeding and raising of heritage turkeys, I have never had one that was mean, or would attack. Such a bird would not stay around to breed. Some varieties seem more naturally calm and I have listed those. This does not mean the other varieties are not or cannot be calm, since individuals can vary within any variety and handling frequently from day-old on can really help make your birds calm and easy to handle.
Blue Narragansett (aka Dilute Red Slate)
Bourbon Red
Bronze (Standard)
Lavender (aka Self Blue)
Lilac
Narragansett
Slate