Rare turkey, sustainable turkey, or homestead turkey — all these terms describe a heritage turkey. So what exactly is a heritage turkey? By definition a heritage turkey mates naturally. It also lives a long life. Further, it is biologically suited for rearing on range, where it readily forages for additional food to eat.
Wild turkeys are native to the Americas. Several of the varieties offered by Cackle Hatchery® originated with wild turkeys, now bred into domesticated blood lines.
Compared to
broad breasted turkeys, heritage turkeys do not grow as large. They also grow more slowly. Their slow growth lets them develop a strong skeleton on which to build muscle. Visit our
blog for more comparisons between heritage and broad breasted turkeys.
For centuries people have kept heritage turkeys for food. In 2011, Slow Food U.S.A. placed heritage turkeys on their Ark of Taste. The Ark of Taste is a list of delicious and distinctive foods faced with extinction.
Some people, on the other hand, keep heritage turkeys for the sheer pleasure of watching them strut and gobble. From stunning
Royal Palms to multi-color
Narragansetts, any of these beauties would be an asset to your backyard or farm. Or, if you can't make up your mind, check out our
Surplus Rare Turkey Special.
In most years, all varieties of heritage turkeys hatch and ship from April through July. You can place your order as soon as November. To check our shipping months, see our
availability chart. For more information review our
FAQs or
contact us.
