Naragansetts
We occasionally have poults, eggs, and started birds for sale.
Sorry, we do not ship our eggs or birds.
Laying season for the turkeys begins May/June.
Sorry, we do not ship our eggs or birds.
Laying season for the turkeys begins May/June.
The Narragansett turkey is named for Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, descending from a cross between native Eastern Wild turkeys and domestic turkeys brought by European colonists.
Narragansett turkeys are gray or dull black with a white bar on the wing feathers, resembling a lightly colored Bronze Turkey. The beak is horn colored, and the head is red to bluish white. The Narragansett is calm disposition and has good maternal qualities; they also are known for early maturation, good laying, and excellent meat quality. Hens weigh on average 18 pounds and toms 30 pounds.
The Naragansett is listed on Watch on The Livestock Conservancy priority list, and is also listed on the Slow Food's Ark Of Taste.
Narragansett turkeys are gray or dull black with a white bar on the wing feathers, resembling a lightly colored Bronze Turkey. The beak is horn colored, and the head is red to bluish white. The Narragansett is calm disposition and has good maternal qualities; they also are known for early maturation, good laying, and excellent meat quality. Hens weigh on average 18 pounds and toms 30 pounds.
The Naragansett is listed on Watch on The Livestock Conservancy priority list, and is also listed on the Slow Food's Ark Of Taste.
Naragansetts are considered heritage turkeys, which are defined by the Livestock Conservancy as:
"1. Naturally mating: the Heritage Turkey must be reproduced and genetically maintained through natural mating, with expected fertility rates of 70-80%. This means that turkeys marketed as “heritage” must be the result of naturally mating pairs of both grandparent and parent stock.
2. Long productive outdoor lifespan: the Heritage Turkey must have a long productive lifespan. Breeding hens are commonly productive for 5-7 years and breeding toms for 3-5 years. The Heritage Turkey must also have a genetic ability to withstand the environmental rigors of outdoor production systems.
3. Slow growth rate: the Heritage Turkey must have a slow to moderate rate of growth. Today’s heritage turkeys reach a marketable weight in about 28 weeks, giving the birds time to develop a strong skeletal structure and healthy organs prior to building muscle mass. This growth rate is identical to that of the commercial varieties of the first half of the 20th century."
"1. Naturally mating: the Heritage Turkey must be reproduced and genetically maintained through natural mating, with expected fertility rates of 70-80%. This means that turkeys marketed as “heritage” must be the result of naturally mating pairs of both grandparent and parent stock.
2. Long productive outdoor lifespan: the Heritage Turkey must have a long productive lifespan. Breeding hens are commonly productive for 5-7 years and breeding toms for 3-5 years. The Heritage Turkey must also have a genetic ability to withstand the environmental rigors of outdoor production systems.
3. Slow growth rate: the Heritage Turkey must have a slow to moderate rate of growth. Today’s heritage turkeys reach a marketable weight in about 28 weeks, giving the birds time to develop a strong skeletal structure and healthy organs prior to building muscle mass. This growth rate is identical to that of the commercial varieties of the first half of the 20th century."