Narragansett Turkey Poults

Narragansett Poult

The Narragansett Turkey is one of the oldest and most historically significant heritage turkey breeds. Known for their striking appearance and exceptional qualities, these turkeys have been cherished for both their meat quality and their beauty. The Narragansett poult refers to the young turkey in its early stages of development before it matures.

Poult Appearance:

• Color: Narragansett poults are born with soft, light-colored down, typically a grayish or light brown. As they grow, their plumage will gradually develop into the more intricate color patterns seen in adult turkeys.
• Bill & Legs: Initially, the poults have small, pink bills and legs, which gradually darken as they mature.
• Build: They have a sturdy, upright posture with a compact body that becomes more pronounced as they mature. The wings start to develop early on.

Adult Characteristics:

• Coloring: Narragansett turkeys are famous for their striking plumage, which is a mix of white, black, and a rich shade of bronze, with iridescent feathers that shine in the sunlight.
• Size: As adults, Narragansetts are medium-sized turkeys, with males (toms) reaching up to 20–25 lbs and females (hens) around 12–18 lbs.
• Temperament: They are known for being calm, friendly, and easy to handle. They are also a hardy breed, well-suited for both free-range and farmyard environments.

Behavior and Temperament:

• Docile and Friendly — Narragansetts are known for their calm demeanor, making them excellent for both small farms and homesteads.
• Social — These turkeys tend to be social animals, often seen in small flocks. They thrive in environments where they can roam and forage.

Egg Production:

• Moderate Layers: Female Narragansetts lay 60–100 eggs per year, which are white or lightly tinted.
• Egg Size: The eggs are medium-sized and have a rich, creamy flavor.

Ideal For:

• Meat Production: Narragansetts are renowned for their high-quality, flavorful meat. They are a great choice for those looking for a heritage breed that can produce tender and juicy turkey meat.
• Heritage and Conservation: As a heritage breed, raising Narragansetts contributes to the preservation of rare and endangered poultry breeds.
• Backyard Farms: Because of their friendly nature and moderate size, they make great additions to small farms or homesteads.

Care Tips:

• Housing: Provide clean, dry housing to protect poults from predators and extreme weather. A turkey coop or barn with adequate space and ventilation is ideal.
• Water & Feed: Ensure poults have access to clean water and high-quality turkey starter feed. As they grow, transition to a more specialized feed for adult turkeys.
• Free-Range: Narragansett turkeys thrive in a free-range environment, where they can forage for insects, seeds, and plants, which also improves the quality of their meat.

Fun Fact:

• Rare Heritage Breed: The Narragansett turkey is considered a rare heritage breed, which means it is less commercialized than standard breeds and offers a more traditional, flavorful turkey.