Beltsville Small White Turkey
Encyclopedia
The Beltsville Small White is a breed of domestic turkey. The bird was named after its physical characteristics — a relatively small size and entirely white plumage — as well as its place of origin: the USDA's Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland
.
The Beltsville Small White was developed beginning in 1934 in response to market research
that said consumers wanted a turkey of small to medium size with no dark pinfeathers. In a breeding program at the Beltsville Center that lasted from 1934 to 1941, the USDA used White Holland, White Austrian, Narragansett, Bronze
, and Wild Turkey
genetics. The breed was used commercially in the 1940s, and was recognized officially by the American Poultry Association
in 1951.
As a result of being developed specifically for smaller, urban households, the breed never had the size to satisfy the demands of restaurants. By the 1970s, it had nearly disappeared, and the Broad Breasted White had come in to prominence. It is still extremely rare today, and is listed as Critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
. It retains interest primarily among breed enthusiasts and those interested in a heritage turkey
breed.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.
The Beltsville Small White was developed beginning in 1934 in response to market research
Market research
Market research is any organized effort to gather information about markets or customers. It is a very important component of business strategy...
that said consumers wanted a turkey of small to medium size with no dark pinfeathers. In a breeding program at the Beltsville Center that lasted from 1934 to 1941, the USDA used White Holland, White Austrian, Narragansett, Bronze
Bronze (turkey)
The Bronze is a breed of domestic turkey. The name refers to its plumage, which bears an iridescent bronze-like sheen. The Bronze had been the most popular turkey throughout most of American history, but waned in popularity beginning in the mid-20th century. Later in its history, the breed was...
, and Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey
The Wild Turkey is native to North America and is the heaviest member of the Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which derives from the South Mexican subspecies of wild turkey .Adult wild turkeys have long reddish-yellow to grayish-green...
genetics. The breed was used commercially in the 1940s, and was recognized officially by the American Poultry Association
American Poultry Association
The American Poultry Association is the oldest poultry organization in the North America. Founded in 1873, and incorporated in Indiana in 1932 The first American poultry show was held in 1849, and the APA was later formed in response to the burgeoning need for an overseeing body to set standards...
in 1951.
As a result of being developed specifically for smaller, urban households, the breed never had the size to satisfy the demands of restaurants. By the 1970s, it had nearly disappeared, and the Broad Breasted White had come in to prominence. It is still extremely rare today, and is listed as Critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting genetic diversity among rare breeds of livestock...
. It retains interest primarily among breed enthusiasts and those interested in a heritage turkey
Heritage turkey
A heritage turkey is one of a variety of strains of domestic turkey which retains historic characteristics that are no longer present in the majority of turkeys raised for consumption since the mid-20th century...
breed.
External links
- Beltsville Small White Turkeys at feathersite.com