Royal Palm Turkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contents |
[edit] General
The Royal Palm is a small variety of turkey that was originally recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1971. They are considered a heritage breed and are listed as critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
[edit] Location
These are located all over America because they can adapt to the climate of the region. They may fly away if free ranging but they will come back if raised there.
[edit] Coloration
These turkeys are mainly white with a black band in the tail and lines of black feathers on the breast. The back is black underneath the wings and the body feathers are white. They have a black beard and red or bluish heads and wattles. The presence of any brown wing feathers is a disqualification. They have a small group of stiff, black feathers on their breasts that stick up when they strut.
[edit] Standard weights
Old Tom: 22 pounds
Young Tom: 16 pounds
Old Hen: 12 pounds
Young Hen: 10 pounds
[edit] Chicks
As chicks they look like chickens. Solid yellow. They can be raised in an incubator the same as chickens. This means that they can be sat on by a broody chicken and hatch successfully. The chicks have long necks and become active very early after the hatch.
[edit] Uses
They are too small for use in commercial food production, but they are commonly used for food on small family farms and pest control. They are generally good foragers make excellent birds for free ranging.
