Heritage Turkeys:
Our turkeys are genuine heritage breed turkeys.
This means they are naturally mating, are long lived and are slow growing,
requiring a full six months to reach market weight. These characteristics
separate them from the commercial, broad breasted white turkeys. These
commercial breeds can only be replicated through artificial insemination,
are very unhealthy and so live very short lives and have been genetically
engineered to grow so rapidly (by eating vast quantities of formulated
feed) to be market ready in about 12 weeks.
Our genuine heritage breed turkeys (primarily the Blue Slate variety)
are raised entirely on pasture from as soon as they are old enough to
go outside. The turkeys are hatched in the spring, raised during the summer
and processed in the fall for the holiday season.
Since they forage outside, our birds consume less formulated
feed than industrial breeds, and what they do consume is an entirely vegetarian
feed ration specifically formulated for free range heritage breed turkeys.
The significant amount of green grasses, forbs, seeds, and insects in
their diets, as well as their daily exposure to sunshine and fresh air
results in a turkey with genuine flavor and pleasantly firm meat texture.
The birds are processed by a USDA Inspected and regulated processing
plant. The turkeys are raised humanely and certified as such by the American
Humane Association.
The heritage turkey products available for purchase
through the member's on-line food store
are described below:
Whole Heritage Turkeys
Most of the turkeys are sold as whole frozen birds. They are divided into
3 weight ranges: small (birds with processed weights under 10 lbs); medium
(between 10 and 15 lbs) and large (over 15 lbs).
Boneless Heritage Turkey Breasts
We have both Bone-In and Boneless turkey breasts. The bone-in breasts
come in two weights, 4-8 lbs, and 8-14 lbs. The boneless breasts can be
fairly variable in weight, ranging from less than a pound to over 3 lbs.
Heritage Turkey Sausage and Hotdogs
Turkeys not considered ‘Grade A’ are further processed into
turkey sausage, generally Italian or Breakfast flavored, and turkey hot
dogs. All are 100% heritage turkey meat – no fillers. The sausage
seasonings are all natural and no MSG or nitrates are used. The sausage
is available ground in one pound packages. Breakfast sausage also comes
as link sausage in 14 oz packages. The hotdogs come in 1 pound packages.
Turkey sausage and hotdogs are only available for purchase in the Heritage
Poultry Sampler packs.
Pulled Barbecue Turkey
This is cooked, boneless heritage turkey, richly flavored with barbecue
sauce. It is ready to eat. It comes frozen in 1 lb packages. Just pop
it into the microwave for a minute or so for a great tasting, quick and
easy sandwich.
Please see the members on-line food
store for prices and ordering information.
Please see the recipe page for heritage
turkey cooking tips.
Back to 'How
it Works', Heritage Turkey.
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