In 2004 the group decided to get involved in raising heritage turkeys. One member went to a 2 day turkey husbandry workshop in Pennsylvania and came back full of enthusiasm and a little bit better informed about turkeys.

Heritage turkeys have a long productive life and can mate naturally and fly. They are the kind that were grown before broad-breasted birds had been developed. They are sometimes called historical farm turkeys or heirloom turkeys. Another term is Standard turkeys, meaning that they are recognized and described in ndetail by the American Poultry Association.

The first turkeys in this project arrived on Salt Spring Island by mail from Ontario. Only 11 of the 48 eggs hatched in a borrowed incubator. Three Bronze were sent to Stanley Park Children’s Farmyard, three Black Spanish went to Pender Island and the Blue Slates and Bourbon Reds stayed on Windrush Farm on Salt Spring.

Unfortunately there were two male Bourbon Reds, so one was traded for a female from Sooke. Three Blue Slate toms and no hens hatched, so eggs from Cedar were obtained and one female resulted. There were then two breeding groups.

Over the years these have multiplied and spread throughout BC and beyond. Other members of the group have taken up other breeds and Vancouver Island is now home to many other kinds of turkey, including Bronze, Narragansett, Beltsville Small White and Chocolate.

These old varieties sometimes live as long as ten years. Two on Salt Spring are now 6 years old Their rate of growth is only half that of the modern commercial turkey, so they are market-ready at 6 or 7 months of age, whereas the others take about 3-4 months.

This means that the commercial feed which is formulated for rapidly growing birds is not what they need. Several local growers are having feed custom mixed for starter, grower and layer rations so that their nutrient needs are properly met.

With the surge of interest and the need to share the specialized knowledge that new breeders need Islands Heritage Livestock is now holding regular meetings for turkey ownersu. A group has been formed soth of Duncan and another further north. These are very informal gatherings, where no question is too elementary. These networks should help to ensure the survival of these hardy and very beautiful birds.

The easiest way to raise your own meat supply is to let the turkey hen build her own nest, hatch her own poults and teach them the lifeskills they need while you stand back and watch. One hen could  raise enough poults for you to have a turkey meal every month of the year.

Our stewardship is needed to save our traditional livestock from extinction and preserve this valuable agricultural heritage for future generations.

We hope you will find our Web site informative and inspiring. Who knows - maybe you will fall in love with these animals just like we have!