Heritage Turkey

Heritage Turkey

Check out our heritage turkeys. These are combinations or pure selections of our heritage turkey breeds here on the farm.   Heritage turkeys are not the same types of turkeys you find at your local feed supply stores. These turkeys can naturally reproduce, live long – full lives and lay fertile eggs. They can even fly! At our farm we breed for personality, weights, and vigor.

Our hens generally weigh around 14 pounds and toms 20-25 pounds.  Our focus here at Sugar Feather Farm is preservation and weights, these breeds need preservation and per the Heritage Conservancy Programs weights are the most important.. Proper colorings are not as important to our program. Heritage turkeys are considered endangered so there is some work to be done on weights.  Heritage turkeys have traditionally been known for their calm disposition, good maternal abilities, early maturation, egg production, and excellent meat quality. Turkeys are seasonal layers and only lay in the spring and summer months. Egg production is sporadic and hens to like to go broody. We do collect eggs when available but also consider the birds welfare and care.

We find heritage turkeys to be extremely hardy birds and very social. When we are out in the farmyard they are right there following us around. Been here for a farm visit? You have seen our toms showing off their beautiful array of feathers. Heritage turkeys prefer to be free ranged and roost as high up as possible.  They don’t bare confinement well due to their large size and nature. Remember these turkeys can fly. The Hens tend to wander, and the toms stay close to the food! They are alert and gaggle whenever they sense danger or anyone coming to the farm.

Some breeds we have here on the farm

• Narragansett
• Black Spanish
• Penciled (like royal) Palm
• White Holland
• Oregon Blue
• Bourbon Red
• Tiger Blue

When selecting breeds we can try to accommodate your request on colorations but keep in mind we are a small farm and only have so many born at a time. You will most likely get what we have available so please be open to this option when ordering.

Feed Recommendations: turkeys are considered a gamebird and need higher protein when developing. We recommend Sugar Feather Farm gamebird starter,  when they are forst born poults, Sugar Feather Farm gamebird grower when they are growing and when adults can switch to our adult feed. If you are raising strictly for meat production and pasture a different feed regimen will apply. You can reach out for recommendations on that program.

We also highly recommend Oil of Oregano – It can help prevent blackhead disease! This is a critical supplement to your turkey program and we highly recommend.

Check out our blog article on heritage breeds.