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Heritage Turkeys

ALBC Turkey Manual – How to Raise Heritage Turkeys on Pasture

So you want to raise Heritage Turkeys. You have heard about their great flavor, their healthy immune systems, and their perfect fit for pasture-based production. But where do you turn for good information on Heritage turkey production? Most of the currently available information on turkey husbandry has been written primarily for the industrial Broad Breasted turkey, and the books written for the Heritage – or Standard – turkeys are out of print. Though some information in the modern publications apply, the differences are critical to the health and management of Heritage turkeys. For instance, Heritage turkeys fly – so how do you keep them home? They have different nutritional needs, which if not met can stunt their growth and your financial return. The list goes on.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has developed a modern manual for Heritage turkeys. It pulls together the best of the historic production information appropriate for Heritage turkeys and the best of modern health management. It addresses production from poult to processing, and marketing from packaging to distribution. If you want more information, the end of each chapter contains a rich resource list.

The chapters that follow may be downloaded at no charge and reproduced for educational purposes. Hard copies may be obtained from ALBC at a charge for printing at ALBC store’s poultry page.

ALBC will be conducting several multiple day production clinics in 2008. To learn more about these or to be placed on the interest list, please contact ALBC.

If you have any comments, suggestions, corrections or questions please send them to: The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, PO Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27517, or contact Jeannette Beranger at 919-542-5704 or [email protected].

Thanks to the many people who contributed to this manual, and especially to the Southern Region SARE Professional Development Program for funding this important project.

With best wishes to you as you explore pasture-rearing Heritage Turkeys! Marjorie Bender, Research & Technical Program Director, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;

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