This breed of turkey was derived from European strains and the American Wild Turkey around Narragansett, Rhode Island in the 19th century with earlier bloodlines as far back as the 1600's. They make an excellent backyard and farm turkey as they are very good with insect population control, exhibit excellent temperament, don't wander far from home, and provide excellent quality meat.
Naragannsett Turkeys
(Click here for our 2018 hatch dates)
(Click here for our 2018 hatch dates)
This breed of turkey was derived from European strains and the American Wild Turkey around Narragansett, Rhode Island in the 19th century with earlier bloodlines as far back as the 1600's. The Narragansett color pattern contains black, gray, tan, and white. Its pattern is similar to that of the Bronze, with steel gray or dull black replacing the coppery bronze. If you are looking for a domestic turkey that looks like the Eastern Wild, then this is the turkey for you!! They make an excellent backyard and farm turkey as they are very good with insect population control, exhibit excellent temperament, don't wander far from home, and provide excellent quality meat.
The Narragansett Turkey almost went extinct with some reports of the breed dropping to as few as just 6 breeding pair. Work by members of the Livestock Conservancy like us have moved this breed out of the immediately "critical" and "threatened" status and onto the "watched" list due to renewed interest in the biological fitness, survivability, and superior flavor of the breed.
The Narragansett Turkey almost went extinct with some reports of the breed dropping to as few as just 6 breeding pair. Work by members of the Livestock Conservancy like us have moved this breed out of the immediately "critical" and "threatened" status and onto the "watched" list due to renewed interest in the biological fitness, survivability, and superior flavor of the breed.
Bourbon Red Turkeys
(Click here for our 2018 hatch dates)
(Click here for our 2018 hatch dates)
The Bourbon Red turkey is named for Bourbon County in Kentucky's Bluegrass region where it originated in the late 1800's. The breed was recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1909, and was ambitiously selected and promoted for utility traits, including a production-type conformation with a heavy breast and richly flavored meat. The Bourbon Red is an attractive bird for either exhibition or just for the backyard. They have brownish to dark red plumage with white flight and tail feathers. They present an attractive carcass when dressed, since the light pinfeathers leave no residue of dark pigment showing the feather follicles as with the Bronze.
Like the Narragansett turkey, the Bourbon Red declined in popularity as it was unable to compete with the genetically modified broad breasted varieties sold in the grocery stores today. The Livestock Conservancy still lists the Bourbon Red's status as "threatened". It is a truely beautiful bird, and makes an excellent choice as a multi-purpose bird for the farm. They are active foragers, and would probably do well in a pasture production system, either as purebreds or when crossed with other breeds.
Like the Narragansett turkey, the Bourbon Red declined in popularity as it was unable to compete with the genetically modified broad breasted varieties sold in the grocery stores today. The Livestock Conservancy still lists the Bourbon Red's status as "threatened". It is a truely beautiful bird, and makes an excellent choice as a multi-purpose bird for the farm. They are active foragers, and would probably do well in a pasture production system, either as purebreds or when crossed with other breeds.
Midget White Turkeys
(Click here for our 2018 hatch dates)
(Click here for our 2018 hatch dates)
The Midget White turkey was created in the early 1960s at the University of Massachusetts under a grant sponsor by the poultry industry. During the time it was being developed, the genetically engineered broad brested turkey was also developed and the fundng for the program was eliminated. Wihout fundng, the birds being developed were sold off by the university at a general auction and the research program was shut down.
A student from the university never forgot these turkeys. Much to his surprise, this former UMASS grad student who had taken a position on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin, found some of these turkeys (with University of Massachusetts' wing bands still in tact) in the flock of a backyard fancier. These birds were added to the University of Wisconsin's poultry program, which continued to refine the breed into the Midget White variety that we know today. When Dr. Wentworth retired in the late 1990's, the breed was once again threatened with extinction as the university decided to disperse the flock. The survival of this breed now lies completely in the hands of private individuals.
The Midget White, with its broad breast, has the appearance of a miniature of the commercial Broad Breasted White turkey - but make no mistake - the Midge White is a true heritage bird by all definitions. In fact, it is our opinion that this breed may perhaps be the premier heritage breed for a homesteader to have. Midget Whites are unusally friendly to people & pets, and the broad breast of the bird provides the variety with exellent meat production while maintaining the ability to breed without assistance. This breed has good egg production and excellent fertility / hatchability with hens laying an average of 60-80 large eggs per year.
A student from the university never forgot these turkeys. Much to his surprise, this former UMASS grad student who had taken a position on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin, found some of these turkeys (with University of Massachusetts' wing bands still in tact) in the flock of a backyard fancier. These birds were added to the University of Wisconsin's poultry program, which continued to refine the breed into the Midget White variety that we know today. When Dr. Wentworth retired in the late 1990's, the breed was once again threatened with extinction as the university decided to disperse the flock. The survival of this breed now lies completely in the hands of private individuals.
The Midget White, with its broad breast, has the appearance of a miniature of the commercial Broad Breasted White turkey - but make no mistake - the Midge White is a true heritage bird by all definitions. In fact, it is our opinion that this breed may perhaps be the premier heritage breed for a homesteader to have. Midget Whites are unusally friendly to people & pets, and the broad breast of the bird provides the variety with exellent meat production while maintaining the ability to breed without assistance. This breed has good egg production and excellent fertility / hatchability with hens laying an average of 60-80 large eggs per year.
Heritage Poult Availability
(Click here for our 2018 hatch dates)
(Click here for our 2018 hatch dates)
We are a registered breeder with the Livestock Conservancy. During breeding season (April - July), we sell both poults and fertile hatching eggs (see note below). Our poults are all sold at 1+ week of age as mortaility rates in turkeys can be high during the first week if you do not have the correct equipment. We also have adult Toms (& sometimes hens) available for your choosing for that speccial dinner. Come choose your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey now, and we'll continue to care for it & have it processed either on our farm or at a USDA facility (additional charge) when you are ready.
Special Note: Due to the threatened status of the Bourbon Red breed, we are not offering fertile Bourbon Red eggs for sale in 2017 as turkey eggs are much harder to hatch than chicken eggs. Good hatch rates are typically only obtained with specialized equipment, and our intent this year is to help repopulate the breed's numbers.
Comment: So if the breeds are threatened, why are you promoting them as food?
Special Note: Due to the threatened status of the Bourbon Red breed, we are not offering fertile Bourbon Red eggs for sale in 2017 as turkey eggs are much harder to hatch than chicken eggs. Good hatch rates are typically only obtained with specialized equipment, and our intent this year is to help repopulate the breed's numbers.
Comment: So if the breeds are threatened, why are you promoting them as food?
Narragansett Turkeys
Thanksgivng Dinner
Poults
