January 2004

 

Dear Potential Heritage Turkey Producer,

 

Thank you for your interest in raising heritage turkeys for the holiday market.  If you have raised turkeys in the past, that experience will be helpful.  If you raised industrial Broad Breasted Whites, your experience with heritage breeds will be somewhat different.  Before you order poults you must consider these differences and decide how to satisfy the needs of these birds to successfully bring them market.

·        Start small and slow

As with any new enterprise it is important to do your homework, and begin with a small pilot project.  This will allow you to learn by making mistakes on a small scale that won’t hurt you badly, and won’t ruin your market.  Consider starting with 20 poults the first year to gain experience

·        Heritage turkeys do not grow as large or as fast as industrial, broad-breasted strains. 

You should allow a minimum of 6 months to harvest date. That means you should be starting your poults in April or May. The table below gives a brief description of the turkeys currently on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. Most available heritage strains will result in young toms that reach 18 – 20 pounds live weight; and young hens at 12 – 14 pounds, however heritage turkeys have not recently been selected for uniformity so expect a range of final live weights. Dressed weight is approximately 75% of live weight. More information about individual breeds is available on the ALBC website, in Birds of a Feather (see Resources), and as breed profiles provided on request. Day-old poults can be acquired from many hatcheries by mail (see Heritage Turkey Breeders list)

 

Turkey Breed

Young Tom Weight

Young Hen Weight

Plumage

Status

Beltsville White

17 pounds

10 pounds

White

Critical

Black

23 pounds

14 pounds

Black

Critical

Bourbon Red

23 pounds

14 pounds

White and red or brown

Rare

Bronze

25 pounds

16 pounds

Copper bronze, brown/black

Critical

Buff

21 pounds

12 pounds

Reddish-buff and white

Critical

Narragansett

23 Pounds

14 pounds

Black, gray, tan, white

Critical

Royal Palm

16 pounds

10 pounds

White with black edging

Rare

Slate

23 pounds

16 pounds

Ashy blue

Critical

White Holland

25 pounds

18 pounds

White

Critical

White Midget

13.8 pounds

8.2 pounds

White

Critical

 

·        Heritage turkeys require a high protein diet throughout their growth and development.  A free choice ration containing 28% protein, in addition to daily access to quality forage is recommended.

·        To prevent blackhead, a serious protozoal disease, raise turkeys on well-drained land.  Do not raise turkeys on land that has been used for chickens in the recent past. To reclaim land infected with blackhead, plow it and harvest a crop from it prior to introducing turkeys.

·        Plan housing and fencing appropriate to your locality keeping in mind management issues, water and feeding, climate, and predator protection and management.   

 

Following are questions you need to answer before obtaining turkey poults, suggested by Frank Reese, Jr, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, Lindsborg, Kansas.

 

·        Identify your market. To whom will you be selling? What do they want to buy? How do they want it packaged? Do they want a whole bird or parts. Do they want turkeys that are organically fed? Free range? Certified organic? (You must verify your claim. Organic certification is a multi-year process implemented by local or regional certification agencies.) What are they willing to spend: are they aware of the price differential?

·        Locate a processor. Your market will determine the type of processor required. If you are selling in limited quantities to your neighbor you may be able to process the birds yourself. Selling to area restaurants and grocers require the processor to be state inspected, at minimum. If your marketing plans have you selling across state lines, the processor must be federally inspected. The number of independent processing plants has diminished greatly in the past ten years. Locating one that within your reach is critical to your success.  Additionally, processors vary in the services they provide. Learn how they package, chill and store the birds. Do they charge to pack the giblets back in the bird? Don’t be afraid of great distances if you have a lot of birds. Some processors will provide transportation of the birds from your farm to the plant. Last, but not least, lock in a processing date well in advance. Plan production based on that date.

·        Locate your feed source. Is it local produced? Is it affordable?  Will the mill mix a custom ration? What are the minimum purchase requirements? Can you accept bulk or do you need your feed bagged? What do they charge to deliver?

·        Plan for distribution.  How will you get your birds from the processor to their destination? How will you collect the money for each purchase? Do you need to collect sales tax?

·        Identify alternative markets. Turkeys are a seasonal premium product. The whole carcass has to be a fine, marketable product, worthy of the Thanksgiving presentation and the premium price. For those birds that won’t sell in the Thanksgiving market, alternative markets will need to be developed. Selling parts or ground turkey will recapture potential losses. Identify these customers and processors, too. 

·        Educate your customers.  The carcass will look different because of the longer leg and keel. Provide recipes and tips for cooking to assure an excellent outcome.

·        Develop labels, including your logo, a USDA seal. Consider developing a co-op for purchasing feed, processing, etc., to reduce costs.

 

With all of these questions considered and answered, you are now ready to buy your first poults.

 

With some experience, you may decide to breed your own poults.  This is a good sustainable practice because it frees you from reliance on hatcheries and shipping of poults, and adds an important conservation component to your enterprise.  If you do decide to breed your own stock, be sure to start with quality birds!

 

Finally, please let us know if you decide to raise and/or breed heritage turkeys.  We regularly receive inquiries from the across the country from people seeking a special Thanksgiving turkey.  We would like to refer them to you.  We also monitor breed population and geographic distribution.  Knowing who and where you are and which varieties you are breeding is essential to effective conservation.

 

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to conserving the genetics of rare and endangered breeds of livestock and poultry in North America. ALBC’s conservation efforts include research on breed status and characteristics; developing breed specific strategies for conservation; maintaining a semen bank for selected breeds; strengthening the stewardship skills of breeders through various educational venues; and educating the public through workshops, conferences and publications. ALBC is the only organization in the United States that does this important work. We hope you’ll join us and the more than 3500 other people who think conserving and protecting endangered livestock breeds is important.

 

Please feel free to contact ALBC for more information and updates on our heritage turkey research and promotion.

 

Best wishes,

 

 

Marjorie Bender                                                                                  

Research & Technical Program Manager                     


Heritage Turkey Resources

Compiled by:

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

PO Box 477

Pittsboro, NC  27517

919-542-5704

albc@albc-usa.org

www.albc-usa.org

 

Birds of a Feather: Saving Rare Turkeys from Extinction, by Carolyn J. Christman and Robert O. Hawes.  Birds of a Feather tells the story of turkeys over the past 2000 years.  This book includes a history of the turkey, tracing its movement from the wild to domestication to industrialization.  Color photos and descriptions of each of the eight standard varieties.  Resources lists. Available from ALBC for $21.95 + s/h

 

Heritage Turkeys in North America: ALBC’s 2003 Heritage Turkey Census, by Marjorie E. F. Bender.  Heritage Turkeys contains an analysis of the most recent turkey census and the progress being made toward their recovery from near extinction. Appendices provide contact information of hatcheries selling turkey poults, and the varieties carried. Available from ALBC for $5 + s/h

 

Storey’s Guide to Raising Turkeys, by Leonard Mercia.  Raising Turkeys covers selection, housing, management systems, equipment, brooding, managing a production flocks, managing a breeding flock, flock health, killing and processing, and more.  This book is an excellent resource but is geared a bit more toward producing Broad Breasted turkeys. Available from ALBC for $18.95 + s/h

 

May Safely Graze: Protecting Livestock Against Predators, by Eugene L. Fytche. Includes information on defining and assessing predator risk followed by sections on enclosures, guardian animals, management approaches that minimize predation, and predator reduction techniques. Available from ALBC for $12.95 + s/h

 

The Snood News, a semi-annual newsletter dedicated to heritage turkeys and published by ALBC.  It covers a range of topics including variety genetics, current research, and management tips. Annual subscription is $5 for ALBC members; $10 for non-members.

 

Turkey Management, by Stanley J. Marsden and J. Holmes Martin. Published by Interstate Press, Danville, Illinois.  Multiple editions published from 1940s – 1950s.  This is one of the best texts written for the production and management of heritage turkeys, if you can find it. In addition to a wealth of information on husbandry, it contains a number of recipes for high protein rations required by heritage turkeys. Out of print.

 

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. A membership organization dedicated to the conservation and promotion on rare and endangered breeds of livestock and poultry.  Publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, breeders directory, and other related information to help the breed steward.  Hosts an annual conference. Technical staff is available to field questions and direct inquirers toward appropriate resources.  Annual membership is $30.  www.albc-usa.org  919-542-5704. albc@albc-usa.org

 

ATTRA. ATTRA is a clearinghouse of information on sustainable agricultural production.  Publications topics are wide-ranging.  Technical staff is available to field questions and direct inquirers toward appropriate resources. www.attra.ncat.org 800-346-9140. 

 

All American Turkey Growers Association is a membership organization dedicated to the production and promotion of heritage turkeys that meet the rigors of both APA standards and productivity.  Publishes a newsletter. Danny Williamson, Secretary, 785-965-2628, brahmabrahma@hotmail.com

 

Standard Turkey Preservation Association is a membership organization dedicated to sharing production information about heritage turkeys and promoting the networking of breeders. Bonnie Meikle, 403-783-6632, standard_turkey@hotmail.com.  STPA also manages an online discussion group of management issues. For more information on how to subscribe contact renpoult@teusplanet.net

 

Slow Food USA is a membership organization with regional chapters, called Convivia. Working to develop market opportunities for heritage turkeys. “Recognizing that the enjoyment of wholesome food is essential to the pursuit of happiness, Slow Food U.S.A. is an educational organization dedicated to stewardship of the land and ecologically sound food production; to the revival of the kitchen and the table as centers of pleasure, culture, and community; to the invigoration and proliferation of regional, seasonal culinary traditions; and to living a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life.” Patrick Martins, 212-965-5640, pmartins@slowfood.com.


Changes in hatchery information may occur without ALBC’s knowledge. Corrections and updates are appreciated.

 
Breeders of Heritage Turkeys, based on 2003 Turkey Census

Developed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

PO Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312

919-542-5704     albc@albc-usa.org       www.albc-usa.org

 

 

FarmAgencyName

Address

City

State

Zip

PhoneWork

WebAddress

Email

Abendroth Waterfowl Hatchery

W 8697 Island Road

Waterloo

WI

53594

920-478-2053

 

 

Cackle Hatchery

411 W Commercial

Lebanon

MO

65536

417-532-4581

www.cacklehatchery.com

 

Calico Woods Farm

3571 Sunset Road

Grovesspring

MO

65662

 

www.calicowoods.com

 

Craig T. Russell

RR 4 Box 251

Middleburg

PA

17842

570-837-3157

 

 

Donnyweir Poultry Farm

Rural Route 1

Caledon East

ON

L0N 1E0

905-584-2470

 

gkanser1@aol.com

Dunlap Hatchery

Box 507

Caldwell

ID

83606-0507

208-459-9088

 

 

Eagle Nest Poultry

Box 504

Oceola

OH

44860

419-562-1993

 

 

Feathered Friends

PO Box 42

Vallecito

CA

95251-0042

 

 

kimlandreth@hotmail.com

Franklin D. Andersen

 

Toledo

IA

 

 

 

falbertsen@yahoo.com

Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch

730 Smoky Valley Road

Lindsborg

KS

67456

785-227-3972

 

gsrt@alltel.net

Harders Hatchery

624 N Cow Creek Road

Ritzville

WA

99169

509-659-1423

 

 

Hoffman Hatchery, Inc.

PO Box 129

Gratz

PA

17030

717-365-3464

www.hoffmanhatchery.com

info@hoffmanhatchery.com

Ideal Poultry Breeding Farms Inc.

Box 591

Cameron

TX

76520

254-697-6677

www.ideal-poultry.com

 

Jerry Pool

 

Olney

IL

 

 

 

jpool@shawneelink.net

Kruse Hatchery

1011 County Road W 14

Fort Atkinson

IA

52144

319-534-7396

 

 

Morris Turkey and Quail

18370 SW 232nd Street

Miami

FL

33170-5301

305-247-1070

 

 

Murray McMurray Hatchery

PO Box 458

Webster City

IA

50595-0458

515-832-3280

www.mcmurrayhatchery.com

murray@mcmurrayhatchery.com

Paula Johnson

2442 Mayfield Lane

Las Cruces

NM

88005-5108

 

 

 

Privett Hatchery

PO Box 176

Portales

NM

88130

505-356-6425

yucca.net/privettehatchery

privetth@yahoo.com

Reich Poultry

 

 

 

 

717-426-3411

 

 

Ridgway Hatcheries, Inc.

Box 306

LaRue

OH

43332

800-323-3825

 

ridgwayegg@aol.com

Sandhill Preservation Center

1878 230th Street

Calamus

IA

52729

563-246-2299

 

sandhill@fbcom.net

Shank's Hatchery

PO Box 429

Hubbard

OR

97032

503-981-7801

1stpage.com/shanks

hatchery@web-ster.com

Stromberg's

PO Box 400

Pine River

MN

56474

218-587-2222

www.strombergschickens.com

 

Tom Richardson

418 School House Road

Tunkhannock

PA

18657-9638

 

 

 

Townline Hatchery

PO Box 108

Zeeland

MI

49464-0108

616-772-6514

www.townlinehatchery.com

 

Townline Farm Poultry Reserve

14563 Townline Road

Linesville

PA

16424-5953

877-632-9242

www.townlinefarm.com

buyturkey@townlinefarm.com

Urch/Turnland Poultry

2142 NW 47th Avenue

Owatonna

MN

55060

507-451-6782

 

 

Walters Hatchery

Rural Route 3 Box 1409

Stillwell

OK

74960

918-778-3535

www.historicalturkeys.com

turkeylink@intellex.com

Welp, Inc. (Hatchery division)

 

 

 

 

515-885-2345

www.welphatchery.com

bkollasch@welphatchery.com