Midget White Turkeys Provide Eggs, Meat

Midget White Turkeys Provide Eggs Meat LIVESTOCK Poultry Midget White turkeys are excellent small farm birds They re not as big as most other heritage turkey breeds Their temperament is great kind of dog-like says Jeannette Beranger research and technical programs manager for American Livestock Breeds Conservancy ALBC Their personality and egg production stand out from other turkey breeds The breed dates back to the early 1960 s when the late Dr J Robert Smyth at the University of Massachusetts worked on developing a smaller turkey breed It didn t take off at the time but in the 1990 s one of Smyth s students Dr Bernie Wentworth continued the work and the breed has become more popular among growers who don t want to raise larger breeds Midget White turkeys have white bodies red to bluish white necks and pinkish white legs and toes Toms average 13 lbs and hens average 8 lbs by 28 weeks of age Besides producing meat the breed lays more eggs than other breeds averaging 60 to 80 eggs a year Research at the French Culinary Institute in New York City revealed that the eggs are perfect for rich pastry crÞmes desserts such as CrÞme BrulÚe and Deviled eggs Midget White turkeys are available through many hatcheries Breeding stock averages $75/bird Expect to pay $7 to $10 for day-old poults As with all Heritage turkey breeds they require a higher protein diet 28 percent or more to start Keep the brooder clean Beranger recommends and make sure it s evenly heated so there aren t overly hot or cold spots Introduce the birds slowly to the outdoors so they can acclimate to their new surroundings and to bio-organisms present in the soil If chickens are on the property Heritage turkey poults are susceptible to blackhead a deadly protozoan disease for turkeys But if you introduce them slowly they can build up a resistance to it over time Beranger adds Fans of the breed include hobby farmers who appreciate that they eat bugs in their flower gardens orchards and vineyards ALBC offers a free turkey husbandry manual as well as a manual about how to choose breeding stock for growers interested in raising their own birds Download the manuals by visiting http://albc-usa org/EducationalResources/turkeys html This breed is a lot of fun and perfect for small farm production Beranger says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup American Livestock Breeds Conservancy P O Box 477 Pittsboro N C 27312 ph 919-542-5704; albc@albc-usa org

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