Slate Turkey - Profile | Poults | Eggs | Call

The Slate, or Blue Slate, is a breed of home turkey recognized for the slate grey coloration of its plumage. Lighter birds are typically known as Lavender turkeys. In this article, I am going to talk about Slate Turkey poults, eggs, call, characteristics, call instructions, etc.

Turkeys of the Slate breed may very well be any variety of shades between pure black and white, however solely ash-gray birds are eligible for displaying under the directive of the American Poultry Association’s ‘’Standard of Perfection’’, into which they admitted as a range in 1874.

Slate turkeys are listed as critically endangered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and meet the definition of a heritage turkey breed.

Slate Turkey At a glance

Use:
Meat

Egg Color:
Pale cream to medium brown with spotting

Egg Size:
Large

Market Weight:
14 -23 lbs

Temperament

Highly dependent on selection by the breeder, Some select for aggressive, others docile

Whereas most early texts state that the Slate turkey originated from a cross of the Black turkey on a white turkey, there may be little genetic proof to help such a conclusion.

The slate gene is an authentic mutation that arose simply because the gene for blue within the Andalusian hen is the result of an unrecorded mutation.

One added aspect of confusion in defining the variability is that there are literally two totally different genetic mutations (one dominant and one recessive) that produce the blue slate coloration, and these produce barely totally different shades.

White and rusty brown markings could also be current however are thought of a defect.

Slate Turkey Naming

The Slate or Blue Slate selection is known as for its coloration, which is stable to ashy blue over your complete body, with or without a few black flecks.

Additionally, it is known as the Blue or Lavender turkey.

Hens are lighter in hue than the toms. The pinnacle, throat, and wattles are purple to bluish-white.

The beak is horn in coloration; the eyes are brown, and the beard is black. The shanks and toes are pink.

The standard weight for a younger tom is 23 kilos and 14 kilos for a younger hen.

Since, nevertheless, the Slate has not been chosen for manufacturing attributes, together with weight acquire, for years, many birds could also be smaller than the usual.

The cautious choice for good health means to mate naturally, and manufacturing attributes will return this selection to its former stature.

History

The blue slate turkey is an uncommon, heritage turkey; turkeys have been first domesticated in Mexico over 2000 years in the past, and the blue slate turkey was first talked about in literature within the 1800s.

In 1874 they have been acknowledged as a typical breed by the American Poultry Affiliation. Although these colorful birds have been round fairly awhile, they’re thought of to be fairly uncommon.

In actual fact, these heritage turkeys are on the watch checklist of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, which means they’re globally endangered.

Traits

The Slate turkeys are medium to massive sized birds with a very stunning look.

They could truly be any variety of shades between pure black and white, however solely ash-gray colored birds are eligible for displaying underneath the directive of the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection.

These birds are named primarily for his or her coloration.

And normally their coloration is stable to ashy blue over your complete physique, with or without a few black flecks.

The pinnacle, wattles, and throat of the Slate turkey are purple to bluish-white in coloration.

They’ve horn colored beak. Their eyes are brown, and the beard is black. Their shanks and toes are typical of pink coloration.

Very sturdy and hardy birds, docile temperament, however, some birds can turn into aggressive, extremely depending on choice by the breeder, at the moment raised primarily for meat manufacturing, glorious meat taste, produce good-sized carcass, the hens lay noticed cream or brown colored eggs

The Slate turkeys are hardy birds. They’re largely docile when it comes to temperament, though some birds can turn into aggressive. They’re extremely dependent on choice by the breeder.

They’re raised primarily for meat production, and their meat taste is superb and produces sized carcass.

The hens typically lay noticed cream or brown colored eggs. Nevertheless, overview the full breed profile of the Slate turkey within the following chart.

Current Uses

Named for the placing blue slate coloration of their plumage, blue slate turkeys are sometimes saved as pets and entered into poultry exhibitions.

They’re additionally raised for his or her meat.

Slate Turkey Look

Blue slate turkeys truly are available three coloration phases: blue with black specks on the feathers, stable black, and stable bluish-grey.

Females are usually lighter than males. They’ve purple to bluish-white wattles, heads, and throats, and so they have horn-colored beaks, brown eyes, and black beards. Blue slate turkeys are medium-sized turkeys.

The Slate turkey is a breed of home turkey from the United States.

Additionally, it is referred to as Blue Slate and Lavender turkey and is thought for the slate grey coloration of its plumage.

The actual origin place of this breed is unknown, and there are speculations on the way it was developed.

There are theories that it’s a cross-breed between a Black Norfolk and an Jap Wild turkey.

One other principle is that the breed was developed from a cross-breed of a Black turkey and a White turkey (although that is unproven with little genetic proof).

Average weight

18 – 27 kilos

Lifespan

5 – 9 years

Slate Turkey Grooming

Blue slate turkeys don’t require grooming; nevertheless, homeowners ought to look over them to make sure there aren’t any adjustments in well being or bug infestations.

Slate Turkey Diet

Feeding blue slate turkeys is straightforward as a result of assuming they’re given room to roam outdoors, they’ll be foraging for vegetation and bugs.

House owners want solely to complement this scavenging with turkey feed.

Along with turkey feed that may be bought on-line or in native feed shops, blue slate turkeys may be fed vegetables and fruit.

Feeding and ingesting areas need to be saved clear to keep away from sickness.

Slate Turkey Housing

Coops may be constructed at house or bought premade, and they need to be sturdy sufficient to maintain the predators and the weather out whereas offering blue slates with room to maneuver around and good airflow.

Turkeys also need to be supplied with ample fenced in, out of doors house to get the train and forage for meals.

Coops and out of doors house needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain illness at bay.

Slate Turkey Health issues

If they’re fed correctly, supplied clear housing, and bought from respected breeders who display screen their birds for ailments, blue slates are usually fairly wholesome.

Nevertheless, when bred for a selected coloration that comes from choosing recessive traits, health points comparable to cataracts and blindness are extra widespread.

Turkey’s are additionally prone to an illness known as ‘blackhead’.

This parasite is carried in sure earthworms and snails which can be ingested by the chook. Bug infections left unchecked can also trigger blue slates to turn into sick.

Habits / Temperament / Activity degree: Blue slates, like all turkeys, are typically straightforward to tame however ought to all the time be dealt with with care.

They may spend the majority of their time looking for meals within the yard when they’re given time to roam.

Slate Turkey – Profile | Poults | Eggs | Call | Characteristics