Quality Turkeys

Colour: Ash-blue to slate-grey all over; some birds show small black flecks.

An old American variety, recognised in the American Standard of Perfection in 1874. Its even blue-grey colour makes it one of the most eye-catching turkeys in a flock, and it grows to a good table weight.

• Calm birds that settle well on small farms
• Good table weight for a heritage turkey
• Hens go broody and can hatch their own poults

Colour: Deep chestnut / mahogany-red body with white flight and tail feathers.

Developed in Bourbon County, Kentucky, in the late 1800s and recognised in 1909. A hardy, calm heritage turkey valued for its meat; its light-coloured pin feathers leave a clean-looking carcass.

• Dresses clean: pale pin feathers do not show on the skin
• Hardy, calm and a good forager
• Hens are good mothers and brood well

Colour: White with metallic black edging on each feather, black saddle, white tail with a black band.

The palm pattern appeared in the 1920s in a mixed flock in Lake Worth, Florida, and was recognised in 1971. It is the smallest of our six breeds and one of the most beautiful, loved for show and as a family-sized table bird.

• Striking black-and-white pattern for show and ornamental sales
• Excellent, active forager that helps control insects
• Family-sized bird for small ovens
• Reported to be somewhat more heat-tolerant than other heritage strains

Colour: Pure white plumage with a red head and pink legs.

Recognised in 1874, the White Holland was the main white table turkey before the modern Broad-Breasted White. Unlike the broad-breasted bird, it still mates naturally, and it is one of the two largest heritage varieties.

• Large heritage table bird
• White pin feathers leave a clean carcass
• Calm and easy to manage
• Mates naturally, so you can breed your own poults

Colour: Solid glossy black with a metallic green sheen.

One of the oldest turkey varieties, taken from Europe to the Americas and recognised as the Black in 1874. A hardy, active bird and a good forager, with a rich-flavoured meat.

• Hardy and a strong forager on range
• Rich, full-flavoured meat
• Mates naturally and hens brood well

Colour: Metallic copper-bronze with black, white-barred wing feathers and a banded tail.

The classic festive turkey, developed from European domestic turkeys crossed with wild turkeys and recognised in 1874. Together with the White Holland it is the largest heritage variety.

• Largest heritage turkey: a big festive bird
• Beautiful shiny plumage that customers recognise
• Mates naturally and forages well