List of turkey breeds
Encyclopedia
There are currently eight breeds of domestic turkeys recognized by the American Poultry Association
, but many more exist as officially unrecognized variants or as recognized breeds in other countries.
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...
, but many more exist as officially unrecognized variants or as recognized breeds in other countries.
- Bronze Turkey, the heritage strain of the Bronze is recognized, while the Broad Breasted Bronze, like the Broad Breasted white, is an unrecognized commercial meat strain.
- Narragansett TurkeyNarragansett TurkeyThe Narragansett Turkey is a breed of Meleagris gallopavo which descends from a cross between the Eastern Wild Turkey and the domestic turkey brought to Colonial America by English and other European colonists beginning in the 17th century...
- White Holland TurkeyWhite Holland TurkeyThe Holland is a variety of domestic turkey that was used for commercial production in the early 1900s. It was desirable because of its white plumage which reduced the visibility of pinfeathers when plucked. The breed was crossed in the 1950s with the Broad Breasted Bronze to create the Broad...
- Black Spanish Turkey (Black Norfolk Turkey)Black (turkey)The Black, sometimes referred to as the Black Spanish or the Norfolk Black, is a breed of domestic turkey. The Black was developed in Europe from the first turkeys brought there from North America by explorers. Despite the monikers of “Spanish and “Norfolk” , birds of this type are to be found in...
- Blue Slate TurkeySlate (turkey)The Slate, or Blue Slate, is a breed of domestic turkey known for the slate gray color of its plumage. Lighter birds are sometimes called Lavender turkeys...
- Bourbon Red Turkey
- Beltsville Small White TurkeyBeltsville Small White TurkeyThe 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...
- Royal Palm TurkeyRoyal Palm (turkey)The Royal Palm is a breed of domestic turkey. One of the few turkeys not primarily selected for meat production, the Royal Palm is best known as an ornamental bird with a unique appearance, largely white with bands of metallic black. Primarily kept as an exhibition bird, or on small farms, it lacks...
- AuburnAuburn (turkey)The Auburn, also known as the Light Brown, is a breed of domestic turkey. A heritage turkey, the Auburn is one of the rarest varieties currently in existence. It has been referenced by name in written records since the 18th century, and is named after the light reddish-brown color of its plumage...
, an extremely rare heritage breed, numbers are not considered high enough for inclusion in the Standard. - Broad Breasted White, a non-standardized commercial strain that does not qualify as a breed, only used for commercial meat production.
- Broad Breasted Bronze, a non-standardized commercial strain that does not qualify as a breed, only used for commercial meat production.
- BuffBuff (turkey)The Buff or Jersey Buff is a breed of domestic turkey named for its buff-colored plumage.-History:Accepted in to the Standard of Perfection by the American Poultry Association in 1874, the original strain of Buff turkey was used in the development of the Bourbon Red breed, but had died out entirely...
(or Jersey Buff) - Chocolate, Chocolate Brown in color. Day-old poults are white faced with chocolate bodies.
- Midget White, a rare heritage breed sometimes conflated with the Beltsville Small White.