Heritage Turkeys

CHERRY CREEK CANADIANS

Heritage Turkeys

Given our interest in raising other rare, endangered heritage breeds, in 2009, we embarked on a new venture of raising heritage turkeys and are proud to announce that as of 2010, we now have small breeding flocks of both Blue Slate and Ridley Bronze turkeys.

For those who are not familiar with heritage turkeys, here is a short description from Wikipedia:

"A heritage turkey is one of a variety of strains of domestic turkey which retains historic characteristics that are no longer present in the majority of turkeys raised for consumption since the mid-20th century. Heritage turkeys can be differentiated from other domestic turkeys in that they are biologically capable of being raised in a manner that more closely matches the natural behavior and life cycle of wild turkeys. Heritage turkeys have a relatively long lifespan and a much slower growth rate than turkeys bred for industrial agriculture, and unlike industrially-bred turkeys, can reproduce without artificial insemination."

"Along with the adoption of the Broad Breasted White by industrial producers, other turkey varieties faded in numbers. Other than exhibition birds and those on a scant few small farms, other turkeys virtually disappeared. By the end of the 20th century, all but the Broad Breasted White were in danger of extinction. Around this time, conservation organization began to recognize the plight of heritage turkeys; the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) considered heritage turkeys to the most critically endangered of all domestic animals circa 1997. A census conducted by the Conservancy found less than 1,500 total breeding birds (out of all heritage varieties) were left in the country. Some breeds, such as the Narragansett, had less than a dozen individuals left, and many considered most heritage turkeys to be beyond hope."

We decided to once again do our part to help a very rare, endangered Canadian Heritage breed - the Ridley Bronze turkey. As it turned out, they were far more difficult to find and obtain than either our Canadian Horses or Chantecler chickens were. A recent census done in 2010 of this uniquely Canadian Heritage turkey (which was developed at the University of Saskatchewan), indicates there are less than 100 Ridley Bronze turkeys now in existence!!! Clearly they were in need of any little bit of help that we could provide. Ultimately we were very fortunate to be able to source some Ridley Bronze eggs from private breeders in Ontario.

While trying to obtain our Ridley Bronze turkeys, we decided to start with another rare heritage turkey, the Blue Slate, in the interim.

Of note, both types of turkey are classified as "Critical" with less than 100 breeding females in existence, by Rare Breeds Canada. For more information on this, see the Rare Breeds Canada website.

We have found both types of turkeys to be very hardy, intelligent (no "stupid" meat birds these ones!), as well as very friendly and sociable. Not to mention incredibly entertaining! We have been enjoying them thoroughly. Thus our rare heritage turkey breeding program has begun...

Ridley Bronze turkey

A population census of the Ridley Bronze turkey was completed this year, and unfortunately it seems that there are only about a total of 100 of these exceedingly rare turkeys in existence today.
For more information on the Bronze Ridley turkey (another uniquely Canadian and very rare breed),
please see the Canadian Farm Animal Genetic Resources Foundation website.

We were very fortunate in that our one Ridley hen was a very productive egg layer, and so she produced a good number of offspring for us. We also brought in some eggs from another flock in ON, unrelated to our current birds. With these new additions, we have added several more breeding pairs to our flock which will hopefully help to contribute to the numbers of these birds in the future.

*NEW*
As of August 2010, we have one breeding pair of juvenile Ridley Bronze turkeys for sale.
We also have a good number of Ridley Bronze toms of differing bloodlines available for sale as well.
For more information on them, please contact us.
(Please note, they are for farm pick up only - we do not ship our birds)

Blue Slate turkey

For more information on the Blue Slate turkey, see the avianweb.com website.

*NEW*
As of August 2010, we have a small number of breeding pairs of juvenile Blue Slate turkeys for sale.
For more information on these, please contact us.
(Please note, they are for farm pick up only - we do not ship our birds)

Sorry, we are all sold out of poults and hatching eggs for 2010.
If you are interested in either poults or hatching eggs for next year, please inquire back with us in early 2011.

Once hatching egg or turkey poult availability is confirmed with us via email, we request that you complete our turkey order form.

Please note that at the time of reservation, we will require a 50% non-refundable down deposit on any birds ordered. Unfortunately we have had to implement this, due to numerous last minute cancellations and late pick ups that occurred last year. No turkey reservations will be confirmed without payment of this deposit.

Payment in full will be required for hatching eggs prior to any eggs being shipped.

For information on our farm, poultry, horses, or on the Canadian Horse breed in general, please feel free to contact us.

If you will be in the neighbourhood and want to come see our horses and farm,
please feel free to contact us to set up a time, and to get directions. We always welcome visitors!

Updated Wednesday August 25, 2010