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Photo courtesy of Courtney W. from Madison NC (@courtneys.countryside). Shown here is Courtney's 2024 flock of Indian Runners. Prominently featured in the front of the flock is a female Silver Runner. Silver Runners are characterized by very light gray (almost white) feathering and dark bill.
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EXCITING NEW ADDITION IN 2025!
We’re excited to announce that Metzer Farms will be offering day-old heritage turkey poults for the first time in 2025! Heritage Turkeys are traditional breeds known for their unique characteristics, excellent flavor, and ability to naturally reproduce. Unlike commercial breeds, these turkeys grow at a natural pace, allowing for a richer, more flavorful meat.
Starting in January 2025, you can choose from a variety of heritage breeds. The following turkey breeds are available now:
* Black Spanish Turkeys
* Blue Slate Turkeys
* Bourbon Red Turkeys
* Broad Breasted White Turkeys
* Narragansett Turkeys
* Standard Bronze Turkeys
* Heritage Turkey Assortment
Later in spring, we will be adding the following turkey breeds to our selection:
* Beltsville Small White Turkeys
* Chocolate Turkeys
* Midget White Turkeys
* Royal Palm Turkeys
* White Holland Turkeys
Each breed offers distinct qualities in appearance, temperament, and size, perfect for both farmers and enthusiasts. Don’t miss this opportunity to raise a truly unique turkey that reflects the best of tradition and sustainable farming practices. We have a 4 bird minimum order size on turkeys.
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Black Spanish Turkey Blue Slate Turkey
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Bourbon Red Turkey Broad Breasted White Turkey
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Narragansett Turkey Standard Bronze Turkey
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Heritage Turkey Assortment
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TURKEY FAQS
* At what age do turkeys start laying eggs?
Turkeys begin laying eggs at 7–8 months of age (28–30 weeks). Ensure they receive 14–16 hours of light daily to maintain egg production.
* At what age can turkeys go outside?
Turkeys can move outdoors at 6–8 weeks, once fully feathered. Ensure warm outdoor temperatures and a covered shelter.
* What type of feed do turkeys require?
- Starter feed (0–6 weeks): High protein (28–30%) for rapid growth.
- Grower feed (7–12 weeks): Moderate protein (20–24%).
- Finisher feed (13+ weeks): Reduced protein (16–18%).
- Breeder feed (laying hens): Rich in calcium and vitamins for eggshell quality.
* How much housing space do turkeys need?
- Brooder space: 1–2 sq. ft. per poult.
- Indoor space (adult turkeys): 7–10 sq. ft. per bird.
- Outdoor space: 20–25 sq. ft. per bird for free-ranging.
* What type of housing or shelter do they require?
Provide a dry, draft-free shelter with ventilation, nesting boxes (1 per 3–4 hens), and perches for roosting. Ensure it protects against predators.
* Can turkeys fly?
In addition to Heritage Turkeys, Metzer Farms will be offering Broad Breasted White Turkeys which are a non-heritage breed. Broad-breasted breeds are the type of turkeys found in your grocery store.
Broad Breasted Turkeys are too heavy to fly but Heritage Breeds can fly short distances. Clip one wing to limit flight if necessary.
* What is their temperament?
Turkeys are friendly and curious. Toms (males) can be territorial during the breeding season. Hens (females) generally are docile and easy to handle. Socializing poults from an early age fosters calm behavior.
* Do turkeys get along with other poultry?
Turkeys can live with chickens or ducks but are susceptible to blackhead disease, carried by chickens. Monitor health closely if raising them together.
* At what age can you process turkeys?
Broad-breasted varieties can be processed at 16–20 weeks, with males weighing 20–30 lbs and females 15–20 lbs. Heritage breeds can be processed at 24–30 weeks, with males at 18–20 lbs and females 10–12 lbs.
* What is their growth rate?
Broad-breasted breeds reach market weight in 16–20 weeks. Heritage breeds: Mature in 28–30 weeks.
* What is their feed conversion rates?
Broad-breasted breeds require 2.5–3 lbs of feed per pound of weight gain, and Heritage breeds require 4–5 lbs of feed per pound of weight gain.
* Do turkeys need vaccines or specific health treatments?
Vaccinate for fowl pox and consider protection against blackhead disease if housed with chickens. Regular deworming and biosecurity practices prevent common illnesses.
* How do I prevent disease in turkeys?
- Maintain clean, dry housing.
- Avoid overcrowding.
- Provide clean water and fresh feed.
- Limit visitor access and quarantine new birds before flock introduction.
* How do you handle aggressive turkeys?
Handle poults gently from a young age, and limit territorial triggers for toms. Separate aggressive birds if needed.
* How do you handle aggressive turkeys?
Handle poults gently from a young age. Turkeys imprint on caretakers when raised from poults, becoming friendly with frequent interaction. Aggressive turkeys can be dealt with by limiting territorial triggers for toms, so separate aggressive birds if needed.
* Are turkeys noisy?
Turkeys are noisier than chickens but not excessively loud. Toms gobble, while hens cluck and yelp.
* Do turkeys require specific lighting for egg production?
Yes, laying hens need 14–16 hours of light daily to maintain egg production. Supplemental lighting may be necessary during fall and winter.
* Do heritage breeds differ from commercial breeds?
- Heritage breeds: Slower-growing, better at foraging, and capable of natural reproduction.
- Broad-breasted breeds: Faster-growing and meatier but require artificial insemination for reproduction.
* What should I know about breeding turkeys?
Maintain a ratio of 1 tom per 8–10 hens. Provide sufficient space and nesting boxes. Collect and store eggs carefully if using an incubator.
* What is the best age to introduce poults to an existing flock?
Introduce poults at 6–8 weeks when they are fully feathered. Monitor initial interactions to prevent bullying.
* Are turkeys good foragers?
Yes, especially heritage breeds. They forage for grass, seeds, and insects, reducing feed costs and improving their diet.
* What is their lifespan if not raised for meat?
Turkeys can live 8–10 years with proper care. Heritage breeds tend to have longer lifespans due to healthier genetics.
* What is the difference between males and females?
Males (toms) are larger with colorful plumage, longer snoods, and beards. They also gobble to communicate. Females (hens) are smaller with less vibrant feathers, and they lack beards. Females cluck or yelp.
* What kind of fencing is recommended?
Broad-breasted breeds need fencing that is 4–6 ft high. Heritage breeds require taller fencing or covered enclosures to prevent escape. Electric netting deters predators.
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A NEW COLORED RUNNER ADDED TO THE MIX
Introducing our Silver Runners! In addition to our Black, Blue, Fawn & White, and Chocolate Runners we now have a new Runner of a lighter shade. Silver Runners are very light gray (almost white in coloration) with dark bills.
Runner ducks are unique because of their slender, upright stance which enables them to move around more quickly than other breeds. They originate from Southeast Asia where they are used for egg production and eating snails, insects and waste grain in rice fields.
We also offer an option called “Assorted Runners” for customers who are interested in purchasing Runners, but are flexible on color.
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SMALL BUT MIGHTY!
The Australian Spotted is an extremely rare and special breed developed in the US in the 1920’s by John C. Kriner. They are a small bantam sized Heritage duck new to Metzer Farms this year. They are active, adventurous foragers and they are one of the hardiest of duck breeds.
The Australian Spotted is a Heritage Breed on The Livestock Conservancy's critical list. “The Livestock Conservancy is thrilled that Metzer Farms will be offering Australian Spotted ducks to the public for the first time. This diminutive duck is among the rarest ducks on our Conservation Priority List and this new effort will bring much needed attention to the breed. These are great all-purpose ducks with a good foraging ability and a calm disposition. They are a great addition to a backyard Congratulations to Metzer Farms for taking on the important role of becoming the Australian Spotted duck’s newest conservation steward,” says Jeannette Beranger. Jeannette is the Senior Program Manager at The Livestock Conservancy.
In 2025, we will donate $5 to the Livestock Conservancy for every Australian Spotted purchased. This organization plays a vital role in promoting and preserving rare breeds, ensuring their survival for future generations. When you choose Australian Spotted ducks, you’re not just adding a unique breed to your collection – you’re actively contributing to the protection of agricultural biodiversity and the conservation of rare livestock breeds.
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Emily K. (Cheese and Quakers Homestead) from Palmyra, NY is a great friend and supporter of Metzer Farms. Check out her video on Australian Spotted Ducks here ⬆
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Shout out to Liberty Duck in Petaluma, California! Liberty Duck is a long-time Metzer Farms customer. Recently blogger, Carolyn Jung from The Food Gal, rated Liberty Farm Duck Soup as one of her top eats of 2024. This Asian-style duck soup can be found at The Third Floor in the Jay Hotel near the Embarcadero in San Francisco.
Jung writes, “It is a nourishing and utterly delectable bowl bountiful with handmade egg noodles, rosy duck breast slices, duck leg meat-filled won tons, shiitakes, and bok choy, all in a heady broth with a dab of chili oil and fragrant with star anise. It’s what you crave on a foggy night. It even makes you wish for a stormy evening if only to enjoy it with the proper frame of mind.”
Duck is actually the main ingredient in 3 of Jung’s top 10 top dishes of 2024. In addition to Liberty Farm Duck Soup, she raves about the foie gras rice bowl at Pidgin in Vancouver, Canada and duck confit gnocchi at Ofena in San Francisco.
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If your Metzer Farms birds or eggs are mentioned in any sort of review, please let us know and we can share the news and help promote your farm.
For those of you unfamiliar with local businesses selling Metzer Farms ducks eggs and meat, be sure to take a look at our listing of local fresh egg farmers and poultry farmers selling locally raised meat:
Metzer Farms Fresh Duck Egg Farmers
Metzer Farms Local Meat Producers
If you sell duck eggs and/or meat and have purchased at least 15 ducklings from us within the past three years, please contact us at metzinfo@metzerfarms.com and we will be happy to add you to our lists.
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THE PPBA BREEDERS SHOW IS COMING YOUR WAY
This year, the Pacific Poultry Breeder Association's Pacific Poultry Show will be January 24th - 25th at the Grape Festival Grounds in Lodi, California. If you are in the area, please stop by. John Metzer will be attending and would love to talk with you about "all things ducks". For more information, please check out the links below.
PPBA PACIFIC BREEDERS SHOW INFO
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