Turkeys are identified by variety rather than breed, and choosing the right turkey breed can be a rewarding experience. Some popular turkey breeds include Bourbon Red, Broad Breasted White, Bronze Broad Breasted Orlopp, Heritage, pastured, organic, and natural. Home-raised turkeys are great for all seasons, making Thanksgiving more tasty than ever. In 2022, over 210 million turkeys were raised on about 2, 500 farms across the United States, with the majority being family farms.
Raising turkeys on the homestead is easier than most believe it is. Heirloom turkeys have extensive foraging abilities, so they do not need as much feed as commercial turkeys and like to forage for their grub. Ava Moline, a 16-year-old high school student, raises 2, 000 turkeys on her family’s farm for Thanksgiving. The Moline family has been raising turkeys for five generations, with tips on how to raise a plump, juicy turkey for your big holiday.
The Broad Breasted White is the most common domestic turkey in America, intentionally developed with broad-breasted turkeys. They are friendly, goofy, and relatively easy to raise. Heritage Black Turkey is a heritage breed, admitted to the APA standard in 1874, one of the first to be developed from Native American stocks. Marys Free Range Turkeys are from the Pitman family farm, which has been raising poultry for the last 60 years and has passed through three generations.
Free Range turkeys are known for their incredible flavor and can fly. Pipers Farm, located just four short miles from Pipers Farm, is a special farm that houses a flock of Properly Free Range Turkeys. Pasture Raised Turkeys are available in whole turkeys, bone-in turkey breasts, and turkey drumsticks.
In conclusion, choosing the right turkey breed can be a rewarding experience that supports local farmers and provides a tastier, fresher bird for both Thanksgiving and other occasions.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Family Farm & Home ChickHen Days Breed Guide | Chicken. Amberlink. Old Faithful. Docile, mellow. 270 Medium. Brown. Yes. Confines well. Chicken. Americana/Easter Egger. Tried & True. Docile, friendly.2 pages | familyfarmandhome.com |
| Top 9 Turkey Breeds Found on Farms Across the United … | 1. Broad Breasted White. When it comes to domestic turkeys in America, the Broad Breasted White is the most common. Intentionally developed with … | farmflavor.com |
| 8 American Standard Turkey Breeds | The American Poultry Association recognizes eight standard turkey breeds, all of which are endangered to some extent. | agriculture.com |
📹 Get Started with Turkeys: Everything You Need To Know
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Are Farm Fresh Turkeys Better?
Pasture-raised turkey meat offers greater nutrient density compared to industrially-raised variants due to turkeys' sensitivity to their diet. The National Turkey Federation states there's no quality distinction between fresh and frozen turkeys. While fresh turkeys support local farmers and cater to last-minute shoppers, many Americans still prefer buying frozen ones. When considering which to choose for your holiday meal, note that turkeys should be cooked within 2-3 days of processing and stored in the coldest fridge areas to avoid leakage.
Fresh turkeys can be ready to roast immediately, saving time on thawing. Buying fresh not only enhances flavor and tenderness but also ensures better moisture retention. Although fresh turkeys may present a slightly tougher texture and a gamey taste, they generally provide juicier and more flavorful meat. Consumers often lean toward fresh options, which are available at large grocers like Whole Foods, local stores, and online retailers. Ultimately, fresh turkey is a preferred option due to its convenience and superior taste, contributing to a more enjoyable holiday meal.
What Breed Are Market Turkeys?
Broad-Breasted Whites dominate the commercial turkey market today, evolving from the Beltsville Small White turkeys developed in the 1930s, which have wider breasts than the Midget Whites. While Broad-Breasted Whites are designed for maximum breast meat and thigh production, various heritage breeds like Bourbon Red, Narragansett, and Standard Bronze also exist, albeit with some being critically endangered. According to the American Poultry Association (APA), there are eight recognized standard turkey breeds, and all are facing endangerment to varying degrees.
Understanding turkey varieties is crucial for potential growers; factors such as space, foraging, maturation, meat quality, and breeding should all influence decision-making. Heritage turkeys, such as the Midget White, are valued for their flavor and traditional farming methods, contrasting sharply with the industrial Broad-Breasted Whites that account for 99. 99% of the market. Heritage breeds can mate naturally, thus preserving their genetic diversity. For those looking to raise turkeys, comparisons of breeds can help select the best option tailored to individual needs.
Where Do Market Basket Turkeys Come From?
The Market Basket is dedicated to providing All Natural Poultry Products from the Valley Belle Sensenig Turkey Farm, a family-operated farm in Pennsylvania. This farm employs a blend of traditional and modern farming techniques to produce high-quality poultry. The Market Basket’s Meat Department features a variety of meats, including corn-fed pork and veal, free-range chicken, and all-natural turkey sourced from the Pennsylvania Dutch region. Their turkeys, recognized for their quality, are Grade A and are raised without additives or antibiotics.
For the Thanksgiving season, Market Basket offers a Complete Turkey Dinner that serves 8 to 10 people, featuring a precooked Butterball turkey along with side dishes like mashed potatoes and gravy. Orders for turkeys are placed daily, with demand peaking in early November. The store stocks a variety of frozen turkey sizes and encourages customers to contact their local meat departments for availability.
In addition to turkey products, Market Basket also pairs its offerings with homemade appetizers and side dishes, ensuring a delightful Thanksgiving feast. Their commitment to sourcing quality poultry and providing convenience for customers shines through in their extensive selection and prepared meal options, making it easier for families to enjoy the holiday.
What Is The Most Common Breed Of Turkey?
The Broad-breasted White turkey is the most common breed of turkey raised and consumed in America, known for its white feathers and meatier thighs, bred specifically for increased breast meat production. Developed in the 1960s to cater to a growing demand for low-cost turkey with more breast meat, this breed has become dominant in commercial turkey farming. Such selective breeding, however, has led to challenges in natural breeding due to their large size.
Aside from the Broad-breasted White, there are various other turkey breeds, including heritage varieties like the Bronze Turkey, which has been popular historically. The Beltsville Small White turkey, developed in the 1930s, has wider breasts than the Midget Whites but is similar in size. While Broad-breasted Whites dominate commercial production, the Midget White and Bourbon Red are noted for their superior flavor and may be preferred for specific culinary uses.
Moreover, the presence of numerous turkey breeds, including rare and endangered ones, adds to the diversity of this domesticated species. Notably, Broad Breasted Bronze and Broad-Breasted Giant White are also significant within production, underscoring a variety of options for turkey farmers and consumers alike, each breed having unique traits and benefits.
What Size Turkey Is Best For Most Meat?
When selecting a turkey for a gathering, it's essential to choose the right size. For a six-person gathering, a turkey weighing between 11 to 13 pounds is ideal, translating to about 1 to 1. 5 pounds of turkey per person, which yields approximately half a pound of edible meat per person when considering bone and other inedible parts. Turkeys over 15 pounds can be more challenging to cook, leading to longer cooking times and an increased risk of drying out. The optimal size for ease of cooking and flavor is usually around 10 to 12 pounds.
For larger gatherings, such as ten guests, a turkey weighing between 15 to 20 pounds is recommended. Fresh and frozen turkeys are available in sizes ranging from 8 to 24 pounds, but it's advised to stick to a smaller or medium bird, ideally 12 to 14 pounds, for better cooking results.
When planning for leftovers, estimate 2 pounds of turkey per person; otherwise, 1. 5 pounds is sufficient. The cooking time can be estimated by multiplying the turkey weight by 40 minutes per kilo or 20 minutes per pound. Proper size selection ensures adequate servings and enhances the overall dining experience.
What Are The Four Types Of Turkeys?
The North American Wild Turkey comprises five subspecies: Rio Grande, Merriam's, Osceola, Eastern, and Gould's. Hunters have varying perspectives on hunting strategies for these subspecies; for instance, Easterns in Alabama and Mississippi are deemed the most challenging, while Florida Osceolas are known for being quiet and difficult to call. The Eastern wild turkey, prevalent east of the Mississippi River, holds the title of the most abundant, appearing in 38 states and multiple Canadian provinces, boasting a population of around 5.
3 million. It's also recognized by the National Wild Turkey Federation, which identifies four subspecies—the Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam's, and Osceola—for pursuit in the Turkey Hunting Grand Slam. Each turkey subspecies exhibits unique traits in size, color, and behavior, influencing hunting techniques. Merriam's wild turkey is another notable type, alongside the distinct Gould's and less common Ocellated wild turkey.
These variations not only contribute to the biodiversity of wild turkeys but also attract backyard farmers and hobbyists due to their diverse sizes and characteristics. In summary, North America's wild turkeys are diverse and offer unique hunting experiences.
What Is The Best Tasting Turkey Variety?
Midget Whites are highly regarded in taste tests among both heritage and commercial breeds. They typically weigh between 16 to 20 pounds for toms and 8 to 12 pounds for hens and are known for laying early and going broody quickly. For optimal flavor, turkeys should be slow-grown for about six months and hung for a few weeks before preparation. Bourbon Red turkeys, originating from Bourbon County, Kentucky, are celebrated for their striking red plumage and exceptional taste.
They are recognized as one of the tastiest heritage breeds, known for their flavorful meat. Beltsville Small Whites, an American breed, also contribute to the variety of options available for turkey enthusiasts. In consumer tests, turkeys are evaluated for their complex flavors, highlighting distinct notes of grass, game, and herbs. For those looking for meat yield, breeds such as the Broadbreasted Bronze or Giant Whites are recommended. Other popular heritage breeds include the Blue Slate, Narragansett, Royal Palm, and Bronze Turkey, with Bourbon Reds consistently receiving high praise for their meat quality and flavor.
📹 Wanna raise turkeys? Watch this first!!
So we have turkeys…17 of them. Are they hard to raise? Well, watch this video to see how it’s going for us!
Way to go Mr Brown helping Papa! Turkey wrangling like a pro! You’ve come a long way from the Ergo! All I’ve heard about turkeys is they’re fragile and flighty. I feel like with all the predators and no goose, dog or donkey, I’d need to build an aviary on wheels kinda like and enclosed sheep shaw. That could be the next hot thing to build.
When I was a kid my parents raised Turkeys, Sometimes we’d eat one for Thanksgiving but my Mom just liked having them walking around, And when they started to multiple She’d sell them in pairs The Turkey hen would sit on her nest of eggs, and when they hatch we see them walking around on our property, and they would roost close to our house every night, we raised the black turkeys
We love turkey and cook at least 1 a month. So many good recipes for the leftovers and it freezes great. When you are down to cooking the bones to remove meat easily for soups and pot pies you can also make great tasting stock and broth for future meals. There’s a whole lot more than just a Thanksgiving meal when you cook a turkey!
This show keeps getting worse and worse. What is happening with the house? I thought Thursday’s was supposed to be content about the house? Some of this stuff is just not interesting. A whole hour about water? 30 min on turkeys? Since you moved off of daily content – the content is worse! Maybe you want to talk about things in more depth but I liked that you touched on a little bit of everything. Improve the content please.