Heritage turkey breeds for Midwest / USDA Zone 3 and 4?

[frustratedearthmother]

I'd definitely like to raise 'em and sell 'em for that....but I'd never pay that much for one myself!

 

[CrealCritter]

16lb dressed out burbon red sells for $250.00, they really are tasty.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Maybe there, but here they sell for $75-100 at that size. The most I've seen is my brother in law in CT who sells them for $7.99/lb. And it's hard to market heritage birds. Most people want farm raised broad breasted here. I loved the heritage birds, I'd get more but I lost my taste for poultry when I was pregnant with DD2 and never got it back. They're expensive to raise if not everyone in the family (particularly the primary cook!) enjoys them

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Ok, I'll raise 'em and ship 'em! I figure I couldn't get $50 for one here....but I haven't really checked out the market.

 

[NH Homesteader]

They go for that live here. I did like them, now I kinda miss them! Lol nope, no more turkeys for us!

 

[SS Project Manager]

I'm trying to talk DH into raising some turkeys. I'm looking for natural breeding/brooding and hardy in Midwest winter. We plan to free-range and I have kids, so docile temperament is a concern as well. Any suggestions? @NH Homesteader ?

Great insights! Congrats on getting your thread featured on our homepage!

 

[tortoise]

If you want a bigger bird, but not necessarily turkey, You could look into Jersey Giant chickens.
View attachment 13347 (not my pic, but it shows size pretty well)

I like the way you think!

 

[Britesea]

I've been thinking of getting a few of them. They're supposed to be very docile and get along with the other chickens even though they are so much bigger (kinda like Baby Huey?)

 

[CrealCritter]

I've been wanting to try midget whites for a while, maybe some day soon... I thing they would be about the right size form my wife and I, to smoke, stuff and finish cooking in the pressure cooker/canner.

My Burbon Reds are for big family meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas.