Comox Valley Heritage Turkey Judging

Help support our heritage turkey conservation efforts by entering your turkeys into Comox Valley Exhibition's turkey table judging contest.


Turkey table judging is a traditional event that was reintroduced at the Courtenay Fair last year. What it means is assessment of a live bird's meat potential by an experienced judge. For heritage turkey growers this is a very valuable opportunity, because the judge has a lifetime of experience at assessing turkeys and picking out the best breeders from a large flock of meat birds. The judge, Kathy Beaton, is a fourth generation turkey farmer who learned her turkey assessment skills from her father Bob Gunter. She now operates Stonecroft Farm with her husband Glen. They produce about 750 heritage turkeys every year from their own breeding flock and process them at a licenced slaughterhouse on their farm in Black Creek.


Kathy Beaton uses many criteria in choosing the best birds. Size matters, but so does body width and depth, and shape and length of breast. She will give a running commentary as she makes her choice. There are small differences between turkey varieties, but whatever kind of heritage turkey you raise or plan to raise this event will help you to do it better. Entering your birds and observing their evaluation can really help guide your breeding efforts. More complete information about the fair can be found at: