Narragansett turkey facts for kids
Male Narragansett turkey, approx. 2–3 years old
|
|
| Country of origin | New England |
|---|---|
| Traits | |
| Skin color | black, gray, tan, and white feathers |
| Classification | |
| APA | Heritage breed |
The Narragansett turkey is a special type of domestic turkey. It came from mixing the eastern wild turkey with regular farm turkeys. This breed is very old and unique to North America. It gets its name from Narragansett Bay in the United States.
Contents
What Makes Narragansett Turkeys Special?
Narragansett turkeys have beautiful feathers. Their feathers are a mix of black, gray, tan, and white. They look a bit like the Bronze turkey. But Narragansetts have gray or dull black feathers instead of the Bronze turkey's coppery color.
Sometimes, these turkeys have white bars on their wings. This is because of a special gene change. You won't find this gene outside of the United States. They have a black "beard" (a tuft of coarse feathers on their chest). Their beak is horn-colored. Their head and neck have almost no feathers. These parts can be red or even bluish-white.
Temperament and Abilities
People really like Narragansett turkeys for their calm nature. They are also good mothers. They grow up quickly and lay many eggs. Their meat is known to be very tasty. If they are allowed to roam freely, they usually stay close to home.
Farmers have carefully bred these turkeys over many years. Young male Narragansett turkeys, called toms, usually weigh 22–28 pounds. The females, called hens, weigh 12–16 pounds. These turkeys can run fast and fly well. They like to spend their nights roosting in trees.
History of the Narragansett Turkey
The Narragansett turkey was never as popular as the Bronze turkey. But it was still very important for farming across the United States. In the early 1870s, it was common to see flocks of up to 200 birds. Narragansett turkeys were good at finding their own food. They would eat crickets, grasshoppers, and other insects. This meant they didn't need much extra food from farmers.
This turkey breed helped start the turkey farming business in New England. It was especially important in Rhode Island and Connecticut. It was also popular in the middle and midwestern parts of the United States. The American Poultry Association officially recognized this breed in 1874.
A Comeback Story
In the early 1900s, the Bronze turkey became much more popular. The Narragansett turkey became very rare. For many years, farmers didn't raise them for sale. But in the early 2000s, things changed. More people became interested in old breeds. They wanted turkeys that were strong and tasted great. This helped the Narragansett turkey make a comeback!
Different Kinds of Narragansett Turkeys
There is a special type called the Silver Narragansett. These turkeys have white feathers instead of tan and gray ones. The American Poultry Association never officially recognized them. They are very rare. But sometimes, a Silver Narragansett will appear in a flock of regular Narragansett turkeys. This happens because of a natural genetic change.
