Heritage Turkey Manual
Heritage Turkeys on Pasture
So you want to raise Heritage Turkeys. You have heard about their great flavor, their healthy immune systems, and their perfect fit for pasture-based production. But where do you turn for good information on Heritage turkey production? Most of the readily available information on turkey husbandry has been written primarily for the Broad Breasted turkey, and the books written for the Heritage – or Standard – turkeys are out of print. Though some information in the modern publications apply, the differences are critical to the health and management of Heritage turkeys.
Raising Heritage Turkeys on Pasture pulls together the best of the historic production information appropriate for Heritage turkeys and the best of modern health management. It addresses production from poult to processing, and marketing from packaging to distribution. With best wishes to you as you explore pasture-rearing Heritage Turkeys!
Selecting Your Best Turkeys for Breeding
This manual was created as a tool for turkey breeders interested in advancing their skills for selecting the best birds in their flock for breeding. Readers will see that careful attention to detail can be challenging but over time leads to quality and uniformity of the flock. This is our second edition of this publication. We are particularly proud to add an entirely new chapter devoted to feather color. Turkey breeds with multiple colors or complicated patterns are among some of the most challenging for breeders seeking to have their birds meet the American Poultry Association’s breed standards. In that chapter, master turkey breeder Frank Reese goes into detail on this topic, sharing his thoughts along with past wisdom from his mentor, the late Norman Kardosh. Both certified as turkey judges for the American Poultry Association, and their insights are valuable for production and for show.