tiny turkeys

I adore turkeys and have kept and bred numerous varieties, my favorite being the Buff. Now, we are all familiar with bantams and of course the smaller duck breeds, but what about a miniature turkey? The Beltsville Small White was created in the 1930s in Beltsville, Maryland, to create a bird that would fit apartment refrigerators. In 1941, this small turkey was released to the public, and by the 1950s, farmers were raising millions of them. Its fall from grace was just as fast as its meteoric rise. Although considered a fine bird for family use, the hotel/restaurant trade demanded a larger, meatier bird from which they could obtain more slices of meat. By the 1970s, the Beltsville Small White was facing extinction. Today, it’s still incredibly rare. The Beltsville has numerous plus points over its larger, broader-breasted brethren. It has excellent reproductive qualities, and unlike many breeds, it can mate naturally. The Beltsville is also perfect for the smaller family, especially one that actively wants to avoid waste. Mature toms weigh in at 21 pounds; hens, 12.