Shady Hollow
"There's a gamebird for everyone!"
GAMEBIRDS
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| Pond Lane, Morrill ME 04952 - 1.774.273.0370 |
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© Shady Hollow Gamebirds 2005 - Present.
Name: Heritage Turkeys are named for their origin
in human domestication. They were breed in
Europe and the early U.S. colonies.
in human domestication. They were breed in
Europe and the early U.S. colonies.
Origin: These birds were originally breed from wild
years of captive breeding they were developed for
meat and color. We try to keep these birds with the
same traits that the early breeds showed.
years of captive breeding they were developed for
meat and color. We try to keep these birds with the
same traits that the early breeds showed.
Uses: Heritage Turkeys breed naturally and can be
found in a huge variety. They all must breed
naturally, have deep breasts and slow growth. This
slower growing meat attributes to its wholesome
taste. These have quickly become very popular with
natural and organic producers. Meat is high quality
and feathers are used quite often due to the variance
in color and pattern.
found in a huge variety. They all must breed
naturally, have deep breasts and slow growth. This
slower growing meat attributes to its wholesome
taste. These have quickly become very popular with
natural and organic producers. Meat is high quality
and feathers are used quite often due to the variance
in color and pattern.
Varieties: We currently breed some common and some rare varieties. Our varieties include Bronze,
Narragansett, Bourbon Red, Red Bronze, Lilac, Oregon Grey, Black Spanish, Marbled Black, Blue Slate,
Lavender, Crimson Dawn, Tiger Bronze, Sweetgrass and more.
Narragansett, Bourbon Red, Red Bronze, Lilac, Oregon Grey, Black Spanish, Marbled Black, Blue Slate,
Lavender, Crimson Dawn, Tiger Bronze, Sweetgrass and more.
Terms: Babies are called poults. Young females are pullets and young males are called jakes. Adult
females are called hens and adult males are called toms. The bulbs that grow on the Turkeys' neck are
called caruncles. The hanging flap under the jaw is a wattle. The protrusion that hangs from above the
beak is a snood. The hair-like feathers that stick out of the breast are called the beard. Spikes on the
legs are called spurs.
females are called hens and adult males are called toms. The bulbs that grow on the Turkeys' neck are
called caruncles. The hanging flap under the jaw is a wattle. The protrusion that hangs from above the
beak is a snood. The hair-like feathers that stick out of the breast are called the beard. Spikes on the
legs are called spurs.
Behavior: Toms will spread their tail feathers in a fan and will fluff up all the feathers on the breast and
back. He will drop his wings to the ground and pull his neck back. The skin on the head will change color
from blue to red to white. When he struts like this for the hen he will let out hisses and deep thumps from
the chest. The tom can point his tail and wings toward the hen that he is trying to pursue. Toms will
commonly jump and peck at each others neck to establish dominance over a flock. When a hen is ready
for mating she will lower herself to the ground and submit to the tom. Toms will respond to sounds in
their environment with the classic gobble. The males stretch their necks out and rattle their heads while
they produce this long-distance sound. Heritage turkeys are naturally curious and can become very tame.
back. He will drop his wings to the ground and pull his neck back. The skin on the head will change color
from blue to red to white. When he struts like this for the hen he will let out hisses and deep thumps from
the chest. The tom can point his tail and wings toward the hen that he is trying to pursue. Toms will
commonly jump and peck at each others neck to establish dominance over a flock. When a hen is ready
for mating she will lower herself to the ground and submit to the tom. Toms will respond to sounds in
their environment with the classic gobble. The males stretch their necks out and rattle their heads while
they produce this long-distance sound. Heritage turkeys are naturally curious and can become very tame.
Breeding: One tom can successfully be paired up with multiple hens. Optimum fertility is usually
obtained by 2 toms with 7 or 8 hens or by keeping one tom with 2 or 3 hens. Courtship starts in late winter
and early spring. Breeding cycles through spring and into early summer. Hens will usually lay two
clutches of about a dozen eggs. Older hens may lay more and younger hens less. Hens will readily
incubate and brood poults, though it is more beneficial to rear them in a brooder. Turkey hens aren't
always aware of the poults, which are very curious. They will investigate lots of things which can lead
them into trouble. Taking a hens eggs, allowing her to lay everyday will obtain close to 100 eggs per hen.
obtained by 2 toms with 7 or 8 hens or by keeping one tom with 2 or 3 hens. Courtship starts in late winter
and early spring. Breeding cycles through spring and into early summer. Hens will usually lay two
clutches of about a dozen eggs. Older hens may lay more and younger hens less. Hens will readily
incubate and brood poults, though it is more beneficial to rear them in a brooder. Turkey hens aren't
always aware of the poults, which are very curious. They will investigate lots of things which can lead
them into trouble. Taking a hens eggs, allowing her to lay everyday will obtain close to 100 eggs per hen.
Keeping: Turkeys should be started on a high-protein, medicated feed. Medicated feed helps them fight
off disease when they are young and the protein is for steady growth. A 20% protein with a moderate fat
content is good for growing them and they can they be feed a chicken layer ration (16% protein with
adequate fat and calcium) or a breeder feed when they reach mature size. If roosts are used for turkeys
they should be low- only about 2 feet off the base of the coop. They should also be wide and flat, this helps
content is good for growing them and they can they be feed a chicken layer ration (16% protein with
adequate fat and calcium) or a breeder feed when they reach mature size. If roosts are used for turkeys
adequate fat and calcium) or a breeder feed when they reach mature size. If roosts are used for turkeys
they should be low- only about 2 feet off the base of the coop. They should also be wide and flat, this helps
they should be low- only about 2 feet off the base of the coop. They should also be wide and flat, this helps
the turkeys sit on the roost and prevents issues with their feet like bumblefoot. A good indoor shelter will
the turkeys sit on the roost and prevents issues with their feet like bumblefoot. A good indoor shelter will
be draft-free and waterproof. Adequate ventilation is needed however. Each turkey should have at least 20
sq ft per bird in the coop. It is ideal to have 20 sq ft of indoor space and 30 sq ft of outdoor space per adult
turkey. This gives a nice stress-free environment and is much more manageable for the flock.
off disease when they are young and the protein is for steady growth. A 20% protein with a moderate fat
content is good for growing them and they can they be feed a chicken layer ration (16% protein with
adequate fat and calcium) or a breeder feed when they reach mature size. If roosts are used for turkeys
they should be low- only about 2 feet off the base of the coop. They should also be wide and flat, this helps
content is good for growing them and they can they be feed a chicken layer ration (16% protein with
adequate fat and calcium) or a breeder feed when they reach mature size. If roosts are used for turkeys
adequate fat and calcium) or a breeder feed when they reach mature size. If roosts are used for turkeys
they should be low- only about 2 feet off the base of the coop. They should also be wide and flat, this helps
they should be low- only about 2 feet off the base of the coop. They should also be wide and flat, this helps
the turkeys sit on the roost and prevents issues with their feet like bumblefoot. A good indoor shelter will
the turkeys sit on the roost and prevents issues with their feet like bumblefoot. A good indoor shelter will
be draft-free and waterproof. Adequate ventilation is needed however. Each turkey should have at least 20
sq ft per bird in the coop. It is ideal to have 20 sq ft of indoor space and 30 sq ft of outdoor space per adult
turkey. This gives a nice stress-free environment and is much more manageable for the flock.
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