Notable Breeds of Turkey

At present, there are only 8 recognized breeds of domestic turkeys by the American Poultry Association. Elsewhere in the world, there are many more unrecognized variants or as recognized breeds in other countries.

Bronze Turkey - Popular turkey breed

Image Source 

The impressive Bronze is a domestic turkey breed whose name refers to its plumage, which bears an iridescent bronze-like sheen. It is the most popular turkey throughout most of American history. There are 2 distinct types of this breed: the Broad Breasted Bronze and the Standard Bronze.

Royal Palm Turkey - Bred as an ornamental bird

Image Source

The cool-looking Royal Palm is a domestic turkey breed which is one of the few turkeys not primarily selected for meat production. This breed is best known as an ornamental bird with a unique appearance, largely white with bands of metallic black. It is primarily kept as an exhibition bird or on small farms and can grow up to 10 kg. A turkey with similar coloration in Europe is sometimes called the Crollwitzer, Pied, or Black-laced White.

Red Bourbon - Large breed of turkey

Image Source 

The beautiful Bourbon Red is a domestic turkey breed named for its unique reddish plumage and for Bourbon Country, Kentucky. This breed is large and can attain a weigth of 15 kg. Red Bourbon originated in the states of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

Broad Breasted White - Large breed for commercial meat

Image Source

The Broad Breasted White is a domestic turkey breed which is commercially the most widely-used breed. They produce more breast meat and their pin feathers are less visible when the carcass is dressed due to their white color. These properties have made the breed popular in commercial turkey production. This bird is really large growing up to 23 kg or more.

Midget White- Smallst breed, rarest and critical

Image Source

The Midget White is a domestic turkey breed named for its small stature and white plumage. It is the smallest standard variety of turkey growing up to 6 kg. it is a rare heritage turkey breed and classified as critical.

Black Turkey - Large Breed of turkey

Image Source

The Black is a domestic turkey breed also known as the Norfolk Black or Black Spanish. It originated in Europe and despite the monikers of Norfolk and Spanish, this breed can be found in any part of Europe.  

Beltsville Small White - Small turkey breed

Image Source

The Beltsville Small White is a domestic turkey breed named for its small size and white plumage. The Beltsville in the name is taken from its place of origin – the USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, USA. Beltsville Small White is similar in appearance to the Midget White.

Broad Breasted Bronze- Bred for commercial meat

Image Source

The handsomely beautiful Broad Breasted Bronze is a domestic turkey breed. It is a non-standardized commercial strain that does not qualify as a breed. Broad Breasted Bronze is only used for commercial meat.

See also

• Bizarre Breeds of Chicken
• Awesome-looking Fancy Breeds of  Rabbits
• Fantastic and Bizarre Breeds of Pigeon