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.
| Heritage Turkeys |
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
birds that native people had domesticated. After
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.
birds that native people had domesticated. After
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 common types include
Narragansett, Bourbon Red, and Royal Palm. Some
of the less common birds are Blue Slate, Lavender,
Crimson Dawn, Tiger Bronze, Sweetgrass and more.
some rare varieties. Our common types include
Narragansett, Bourbon Red, and Royal Palm. Some
of the less common birds are 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.
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.
| Sounds |
| Videos |
| Photos |
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 we 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.
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 we 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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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