Turkey Breeds – Best 10 Breeds With Pictures

There are many turkey breeds available throughout the world. But not nearly as many turkey breeds as there are chicken breeds or duck breeds. Although, there are still enough varieties to choose from.

Some of these breeds are good for commercial meat production purpose, some are good for enhancing beauty of your home, and some turkey breeds are good for raising as pets. For commercial purpose, most of the farmers used to raise turkeys for meat production.

Choosing the right turkey breed is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your success in commercial turkey farming business.

Here in this guide, we are going to discuss about different types of turkey breeds with their characteristics and some best turkey breeds for many different purposes. Hope this guide will help you!

Why Choosing the Right Turkey Breed Important?

Choosing the right turkey breed is very important because it affects the production and profits from your farm. Different breeds have distinct characteristics (such as meat texture, flavor, and growth rate). And selecting a breed that goes well with your preferences and purpose, ensures good production and maximum income.

How to Select the Right Turkey Breed for Your Farm?

Selecting the right turkey breed for your farm is another very important task. You should select a good breed for your farm by considering your goals and resources. Determine your production purpose (whether you want turkeys for meat, eggs, or both). Consider your local climate and available space.

Broad Breasted White are excellent for meat, while Bourbon Red are heritage breeds and they are known for flavor. Try to learn about the bird’s size, growth rate, and adaptability to your environment. You can also consult with some local experts while choosing best breeds for your farm.

Best 10 Turkey Breeds

Turkey breeds come in various sizes, colors, and characteristics, making them an ideal choice for backyard farmers, commercial producers, and hobbyists alike.

Some of the most common turkey breeds are the Broad Breasted White, Narragansett, Bourbon Red, Royal Palm, Bronze, and White Holland.

The Broad Breasted White is popular for its large size and efficiency in meat production, while the Narragansett is known for its calm temperament and ability to forage.

The Bourbon Red has a striking appearance and excellent flavor, while the Royal Palm is a small breed used for ornamental purposes.

The Bronze is a heritage breed with excellent meat quality and hardiness, and the White Holland is a popular choice for meat production and backyard farming.

You should learn about various types of turkey breeds. Here we are shortly describing about some common and popular turkey breeds, with their characteristics.

1. Beltsville Small White Turkey

Beltsville small white turkeys were developed in the 1930s. They are similar in size as the Midget Whites. But Beltsville small white turkeys have wider breasts than the Midget Whites.

Beltsvile small white turkeys make a nice table bird but are blander than Midgets or some other heritage birds. They are prolific layers and mature hens are good sitters and can hatch eggs well. Although, they are not very social compared to other heritage turkey breeds.

Beltsville Small White Turkey

2. Black Turkey

Black turkey is a domestic turkey breed. It was domesticated from Mexican wild turkeys brought back to Europe by the first Spanish explorers who visited the USA. Black turkeys have been around since the 1500s and their plumage is black. This breed is available in many European nations.

Black Spanish Turkey

3. Blue Slate Turkey

Blue slate is a domestic turkey breed. They have slate gray color plumage. They are lighter birds and are also sometimes called Lavender turkeys.

Actually slate turkey breed may be any number of shades between white and pure black. They are among the beautiful heritage turkey breeds. Adult Blue Slate hen can weight about 14 pounds and an adult tom can weight about 23 pounds.

Blue Slate Turkey, turkey breeds

4. Bourbon Red Turkey

Bourbon Red turkeys are very attractive birds for their beautiful red plumage. They are also known and popular for a full flavor, delicious meat and are considered as one of the best tasting heritage turkey breeds.

This breed came from their origin in Bourbon county, Kentucky. They were first bred there during the 1800s. A mature Bourbon hen weights about 12 pounds and a mature tom can reach about 23 pounds.

Bourbon Red Turkey

5. Broad Breasted White Turkey

Broad Breasted white turkeys are modern turkey breed which are raised commercially in farms. They are available in almost every country around the globe.

They have maximum conversion ratio of feed to meat in shortest possible time (like broiler chicken breeds) and very suitable for commercial turkey farming business. Although, there are some problems with Broad-Breasted white turkeys.

They can’t fly or walk. They are prone to diseases like other factory farm raised poultry birds and they can’t reproduce without artificial insemination. They also don’t taste too good like other turkey breeds. They are only suitable for factory farm production purpose.

Broad Breasted White Turkey

6. Midget White Turkey

Midget White turkeys are relatively a new heritage breed. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts developed this turkey breed in the 1960s. They are a cross of Broad-Breasted whites and Royal Palm. They are smaller in size and are known for their deep, delicious flavor.

Midget White turkeys are calm in nature and do well raising poults (because the Midget White hens are small and they can become good fence-jumpers). A mature Midget White hen weights about 8 to 12 pounds and a mature tom weights about 16 to 20 pounds.

Midget White Turkey

7. Narragansett Turkey

Narragansett turkeys were the staple of the New England turkey scene before factory farmed turkeys became the norm (they are originally from Rhode Island). On an average, mature Narragansett hens weight about 18 pounds and toms weight about 30 pounds.

Narragansett Turkey

8. Standard Bronze Turkey

Standard Bronze turkey is one of the largest heritage turkey breeds. They have also been the most popular turkey breeds in American history. Bronzes were originally a cross between the native wild turkeys (discovered by Europeans) in America and the turkeys brought to the colonies by Europeans.

Among the Standard Bronze varieties, the Broad-Breasted Bronze is the most commercially raised variety and most have been bred by artificial insemination since the 1960s. But this variety was replaced by the Broad-Breasted White at that time.

Because white feathers of Broad-Breasted White turkeys led to a cleaner looking and they become most commercially acceptable turkey breed.

On an average, an adult hen weights about 16 pounds and a tom can reach about 25 pounds. Although birds which are available nowadays may be smaller than this.

Standard Bronze Turkeys

9. Royal Palm Turkey

The Royal Palm turkey is a very beautiful, striking turkey breed. Actually, they were bred for their good looks. They have white and black plumage. They were breed not for commercial purpose.

Because they are smaller in size than most other heritage varieties. They are mostly raised for exhibition or enhancing beauty of home or farm.

Although, they are suitable for meat production for family consumption purpose. Royal Palm are active turkey breed that forage extensively, they can control insects well and are also good flyers. Royal Palm hens weight about 10 pounds and toms weight about 16 pounds.

Royal Palm Turkey

10. White Holland Turkey

White Holland turkeys were bred in Holland. This turkey breed migrated to the USA with early settlers to the country. And they were popular as meat bird in the 1800s. White Holland turkeys are calm in nature and good setters and mothers.

But they sometimes break their eggs because the hens are so heavy. A mature White Holland hen can weight up to 20 pounds and a mature tom can weight up to 30 pounds.

White Holland Turkey

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The turkey is actually a large poultry bird which is native to North America. Popularity of turkey farming business is increasing gradually, especially in the American countries. That’s why many people are trying to learn more about this business. Especially, the beginners ask us many questions about starting and operating a successful turkey farming business. They also ask about the different types of turkey breeds. However, here we are trying to list the most common questions and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.

What is the most common breed of turkey?

Broad Breasted White is the most common turkey breed in the world. This breed is highly popular throughout the world mainly because it produce more breast meat and meatier thighs. It is easily recognized by it’s white feathers. Most of the commercial turkey farms available raise these birds for meat production.

How many types of turkey do we have?

The APA (American Poultry Association) recognizes 8 turkey types/varieties and all are considered as heritage varieties. These varieties are the Standard Bronze, Beltsville Small White, White Holland, Bourbon Red, Narragansett, Slate, Black, and Royal Palm.

What is the best tasting turkey breed?

Midget White is considered as the best tasting turkey breed, followed by the Bourbon Red.

What is the rarest turkey breed?

Light Brown or Auburn is the rarest domestic turkey breed.

What breed of turkey do we eat?

Broad Breasted White. It is the most common and most popular breed of turkey. And this breed is raised in commercial farms.

What is the smallest turkey breed available?

The Midget White is the smallest breed of turkey available today.

What breed of turkey is easiest to raise?

The Broad Breasted White turkey is easiest to raise. It is also call the ‘Giant White Turkey’. It is the most common and most popular breed of turkey throughout the world.

What is the oldest breed of turkey?

White Hollands is the oldest breed of turkey.

What is the most expensive breed of turkey to buy?

Narragansett, Jersey Buff, KellyBronze and Black Spanish are the most expensive breed of turkey to buy.

What is the best breed of turkey to raise for meat?

Broad Breasted White is considered as the best breed of turkey to raise for meat. It is raised in most farms for commercial turkey farming business.

What breed of turkey can breed naturally?

Most of the turkey breeds can breed naturally.

Are chocolate turkeys rare?

The Chocolate turkey with brown feathers, shanks and feet is a very rare breed of turkey.

Which turkey breed lays the most eggs?

Bourbon Red. A female Bourbon Red can lay between 90 and 120 eggs per year.

What is the biggest heritage turkey breed?

Standard Bronze is one of the largest breeds of heritage turkeys.

Is there a breed of white turkey

YES, sure! Broad Breasted White, Beltsville Small White, Midget White and White Holland turkey are white in color.

What breed of turkey is grey?

The Slate, or Blue Slate, is a breed of domestic turkey known for the slate gray color of its plumage.

Is there a breed of black turkey?

The Norfolk Black, also known as the Black Spanish or Black Turkey, is a British breed of domestic turkey which is black in color.

What is turkey farming?

Turkey farming is the practice of raising domestic turkeys for the purpose of meat and eggs production. It is a very profitable business and it’s popularity is increasing gradually.

How do you start a turkey farming business?

Starting a turkey farming business is very easy and simple. For starting a successful turkey farming business, select good breed, make a good shelter, give your birds with nutritious food and always try to take good care of them.

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