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