13 Popular Turkey Breeds

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Turkeys are striking animals that are found around the world. These birds can be used in a variety of ways and are unique to look at!

Have you ever thought of getting one of your own? Maybe the idea of turkeys thrills you, and you want to do more research. Look no further. Here’s an overview of the 13 most popular turkey breeds. If you want more details, check out the rest of the article below the table. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Overview

Turkey Variety	Origin	Common Use	Average price (USD)
Bronze Turkey	England	Meat production	$250-$375
Bourbon Red Turkey	Kentucky	Meat production	$130-$260
Royal Palm Turkey	Florida	Meat production and pest control	$120-$300
Narragansett Turkey	Rhode Island	Meat production	$250-$450
Beltsville Small White Turkey	United States	Meat production	$120-$400
White Holland Turkey	United States	Meat production	$120-$370
Slate Turkey	Mexico	Meat production and pets	$250-$350
Black Turkey	Spain	Meat production	$100-$275
Dinde De Bresse Turkey	France	Meat production	$120-$300
Broad-Breasted Turkey	The United States	Meat production	$250-$350
Midget White Turkey	The United States	Meat production	$75-$200
Dindon Rouge Des Ardennes Turkey	Mexico	Meat production	$130-$400
Jersey Buff Turkey	New Jersey	Meat production	$120-$320

1. Bronze Turkey

The Bronze turkey first originated in England. Its common use is in meat production. This turkey has an average weight of 18-30 pounds, depending on gender, age, activity level, and diet. The Bronze turkey comes in various shades of light and dark browns, coupled with a white pattern on the tail.

Bronze turkeys are known to have kind and courageous personalities, suitable for living with other animals and being present in social events.

When looking to buy an adult Bronze turkey, one can expect an average price range of $250-$375, depending on the seller and its gender and age.

2. Bourbon Red Turkey

The Bourbon Red turkey first originated in Kentucky in the 19th century. This turkey is commonly used for meat production. The Bourbon Red turkey is named for its origin in Bourbon County and is today found across the United States.

This turkey has an average weight of 14-23 pounds, depending on gender, age, activity level, and diet. This turkey always has brown and white coloring on its large body.

When looking to buy the Bourbon Red, one can expect an average price range of $130-$260, depending on gender, age, and the seller.

3. Royal Palm Turkey

The Royal Palm first originated in Florida in the 1920s. This turkey is used for both pest control and meat production. The average weight for this turkey is 12-20 pounds, depending on gender, age, activity level, and diet.

This turkey may come in whites and grays, with black details and patterns along the tail and belly portions.

The Royal Palm Turkey can be described as active, smart, kind, and non-aggressive. This turkey is good on farms and is very social. When looking to buy a Royal Palm, one can expect an average price range of $120-$300, depending on gender, age, and the seller.

4. Narragansett Turkey

The Narragansett turkey first originated in Rhode Island. This turkey is known to be a crossbreed between the native Eastern turkey and the Norfolk Black turkey.

The Narragansett turkey is commonly used for meat production and has an average weight of 16-30 pounds, depending on gender, age, activity level, and diet. These turkeys come in a mottled pattern of browns, blacks, and whites.

These turkeys are known for their large build, unique and beautiful appearance, and friendly and social personalities. When looking to buy a Narragansett turkey, you can expect an average price range of $250-$450, depending on the seller, gender, and age.

5. Beltsville Small White Turkey

Beltsville Small White Turkey in the farm

The Beltsville Small White turkey first originated in the United States. This turkey is commonly used for meat production and may also do well on farms. These turkeys can be defined by their low maintenance, smaller-sized bodies, and great reproductive qualities.

This turkey has pure white feathers. They were also bred to not have dark pin feathers, making cleaning during processing easier.

The Beltsville Small White turkey has an average weight of 17-32 pounds, depending on gender, activity level, diet, and age. When looking to buy the Beltsville Small White, one can expect an average price range of $120-$400, depending on the seller and its gender and age.

6. White Holland Turkey

The White Holland turkey might have a name that makes you think it originated in the Netherlands, but it was actually developed in the United States. It came into being from crosses between the White European turkey settlers brought with them from Europe and the Northern American native turkey. White Holland turkeys are used for their meat.

The White Holland turkey has an average weight of 18-33 pounds, depending on gender, age, activity level, and diet.

These birds commonly come in hues of white and gray, with large bodies and eccentric personalities. When buying the White Holland turkey, one can expect an average price range of $120-$370, depending on its gender, the seller, and its age.

7. Slate Turkey

The Slate turkey first originated in Mexico over 2,000 years ago. This turkey is commonly used for meat but may also be kept as a pet. These turkeys are very social and kind and make great companions.

A Slate turkey may weigh around 14-23 pounds, depending on age, gender, activity level, and diet. This turkey often comes in an ashy gray color with blue and black highlights.

When buying a Slate turkey, one can expect an average price range of $250-$350, depending on the seller and its gender and age.

8. Black Turkey

The Black turkey, also known as Spanish Black, first originated in Mexico but was brought to Spain and domesticated all over Europe. This turkey is used for meat production. They are known for their large build, strong and docile temperament, and the deep black hue of their feathers—hence the name Black turkey.

The Black turkey may have an average weight of 14-23 pounds, depending on gender, age, activity level, and diet. When looking to buy a Black Turkey, one can expect an average price range of $100-$275, depending on the seller and its gender and age.

9. Dinde De Bresse Turkey

The Dinde De Bresse turkey first originated in France. This turkey is commonly used in meat production for fancy dishes in parts of Europe. These turkeys have an average weight of around 17-36 pounds, depending on gender, activity level, diet, and age.

The Dinde De Bresse turkey can be defined by its black-colored feathers, bright red wattles on the beak, and large body. This turkey commonly comes in shades of black but sometimes comes in dark grays.

When buying the Dinde De Bresse turkey, one can expect an average price range of $120-$300, depending on the seller and its gender and age.

10. Broad-Breasted Turkey

The Broad-Breasted turkey first originated in the United States. Commonly used for meat production, these turkeys may also be great on farms.

These turkeys may weigh around 15-40 pounds, depending on gender, age, activity level, and diet. They can be either white or bronze.

The Broad-Breasted turkey does well on farms as it has a social and kind personality. This turkey can be described as having a large-breasted build, hence its name.

When buying the Broad-Breasted turkey, one can expect an average price range of around $250-$350, depending on the seller and its gender and age. Most often they are sold as poults to be raised for meat at prices starting in the $12-15 range.

11. Midget White Turkey

The Midget White turkey first originated at the University of Massachusetts. This is a smaller, more developed version of the Broad-Breasted turkey. Originally bred in the 1960s by Dr. J. Robert Smith, this turkey is among other rare breeds developed at the university and is used today for meat production.

This turkey may weigh around 13-24 pounds, depending on diet, gender, and activity level. The Midget White turkey comes in various shades of whites and grays, hence the name. This turkey is a smaller size than other breeds, making it suitable for small farms and small children.

When buying the Midget White turkey, one can expect an average price range of $75-$200, depending on the seller and its gender and age.

12. Dindon Rouge Des Ardennes Turkey

dindon rouge des ardennes turkey standing on a white background

The Dindon Rouge Des Ardennes turkey first originated in Mexico in the 16th century. These turkeys are commonly used for meat production. This turkey has an average weight of 16-32 pounds, depending on gender, activity level, and diet.

The Dindon Rouge turkey can be defined by its light brown and white feathers, tame personality, and ability to adapt to a variety of climates.

When buying the Dindon Rouge turkey, one can expect an average price range of $130-$400, depending on gender, age, and the seller.

13. Jersey Buff Turkey

The Jersey Buff turkey first originated in New Jersey. This turkey is commonly used for the production of meat. The Jersey Buff turkey, on average, weighs 12-21 pounds, depending on gender, activity level, diet, and age.

These turkeys can be defined by their rust-brown or red feathers, temperate personalities, and large tails. When buying the Jersey Buff turkey, one can expect an average price range of $120-$320, depending on gender, age, and the seller.

Special Note:

The information listed in this article is not a suitable replacement for medical advice. If you believe your turkey is displaying abnormal or odd symptoms, it is important to call your veterinarian right away to ensure your turkey is in peak health.