"...when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another Heaven and another Earth must pass before such a one can be again."
-William Beebe

ALBC Presentation || ALBC Staff || Board of Directors || Volunteer

Selecting Your Best Turkeys for Breeding

As part of its Master Breeder program, ALBC has worked with several renowned turkey breeders to develop these materials on Selecting Your Best Turkeys for Breeding. Learn from the experts how to select and evaluate birds. By preserving and codifying this knowledge, we can help conserve these birds for the next generation.

• Chapter 1: Definition and History of Heritage Turkey (PDF, 470KB)
  What are Heritage Turkeys? Why are they important? What’s the history of domesticated turkeys and their development in the United States? Who were key judges and influential breeders?
• Chapter 2: Proper Conformation of the Birds (PDF, 286KB)
  Learn the general conformation of Heritage Turkeys. What characteristics should you be looking for in birds? What traits should be selected for, and which should be culled?
• Chapter 3: Evaluating Breeding Stock (PDF, 419 KB)
  When and how do you evaluate breeding stock? What traits should you look for in breeder birds? What are the key points for selecting the best turkeys for breeding?
• Chapter 4: Preparing for Your First Year of Breeding (PDF, 674KB)
  Discover what to expect your first year of breeding. Learn how to prepare for breeding season, how to care for the birds, and more.
  
  
• Download the full Manual (PDF, 1661KB)
• Purchase a hard-copy version of the manual ($8.00 – color cover, black and white inside)

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