How much does a heritage turkey cost?
between $4 and $6 per pound
The average store-bought turkey costs about $1 per pound, while heritage turkeys run between $4 and $6 per pound. These birds proportionally have much smaller breasts, darker leg meat and are generally gamier in flavor than broad-breasted whites raised on large, modern poultry farms.
What is a Hoka turkey?
Providing fresh dressed turkeys to the Northern Illinois area for over 80 years. These big, beautiful tom turkeys are some of the thousands that are range grown here on the Kauffman Turkey Farm. Our turkeys are grown from one day of age until they are dressed in the farm’s federally inspected plant.
Are heritage turkeys worth the price?
They have proportionally smaller breasts, darker leg meat, and are generally gamier in flavor than industrially raised turkeys. Heritage birds are also older than conventional birds at the age of slaughter (26-28 weeks compared to 14-18 weeks), which results in sturdier meat.
Should I get heritage turkey?
Animal Welfare and Heritage Turkey Farms If you truly care about animal welfare, a heritage bird is a better option. Some producers’ heritage birds will also have certifications, such as Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane, etc.
Do heritage turkeys taste different?
Heritage turkeys are smaller than their commercially bred counterparts (which are all Broad Breasted Whites) and have a stronger—some say gamy—flavor. Less breast meat and more highly exercised thighs and wings mean heritage turkeys benefit from longer, slower cooking times.
What is the best heritage breed turkey?
Midget Whites Midget Whites are often the number one tasting bird in Heritage and commercial breed taste tests . Toms weigh from 16 to 20 pounds and hens weight from 8 to 12. They lay early and go broody quickly.
How long do heritage turkeys take to mature?
around 28 weeks
They grow at a moderate rate – reaching market weight, between 10 and 28 pounds, in around 28 weeks – which allows their bodies time to develop properly. Heritage Turkeys yield a lot less white meat.
What is the best tasting turkey breed?
According to a taste test performed at Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, Virginia, in 2008, Midget White is the best-tasting turkey breed, followed by the Bourbon Red. This blind taste test, executed by 70 food professionals, compared a Butterball against eight heritage turkey breeds.
Where can I buy a heritage turkey?
To find your Heritage Turkey, you can browse the LocalHarvest website to find a farmer in your area or you can visit the LocalHarvest Store to purchase your tasty Tom online.
What are the characteristics of heritage turkeys?
Some characteristics that distinguish these rare heritage turkeys from the broad-breasted variety are slower growth, more proportionate breasts to legs and the ability to naturally breed. They are naturally smaller birds with a slimmer, longer shape (not round, like grocery-store varieties that are bred for fast growth).
How long does it take for a heritage turkey to grow?
Raising Heritage Breeds is more costly and time consuming than raising White Breasted Toms. While supermarket turkeys grow to an average of 32 pounds over 18 weeks, Heritage birds take anywhere from 24-30 to reach their market weight.
Do heritage turkeys mate naturally?
By definition a heritage turkey mates naturally. It also lives a long life. Further, it is biologically suited for rearing on range, where it readily forages for additional food to eat. Wild turkeys are native to the Americas.