Some people might rather not give their Thanksgiving bird much thought before it’s on the table, but there are many different breeds of turkey, and some of them are surprisingly beautiful.
Your small farm could benefit from keeping a few Royal palm turkeys, for example. Find out more about these miniature, high-class turkeys and decide if you’d like to add one or more to your farm.
You may also want to read about the best turkey feed.
History
Royal Palm turkeys are a color mutation of the English Pied, Ronquieres, and Crollwitzer turkeys that originated in Europe and England. The earliest reports of Royal Palms in the United States date back to the 1920s in Florida. The original, one-of-a-kind Royal Palms served as inspiration for the subsequent development and standardization of the breed prior to its official recognition in 1971.
The Traits of a Royal Palm Turkey
Royal Palm turkeys are colorful little birds that are very active. They are such skilled fliers that they pose a security risk unless kept in a completely enclosed area. Royal Palms, when allowed to roam freely, are hardy and proficient foragers; they can even nest in trees if necessary.
Birds of this species are frequently kept as pets and show birds, and as a result, their personalities are highly sensitive to their early experiences and socialization. Royal Palms have a wide personality range, from sociable to hostile. In comparison to other breeds, the males of this one tend to be relatively peaceful. Royal Palms that have been raised in human company tend to develop fascinating personalities.
Royal Palm females are renowned for their nurturing nature. Due to their small size, the breed is able to reproduce naturally. Hens typically lay 10-12 light brown eggs in the spring, and they take about 28 days to hatch. The breed wasn’t designed to produce meat, so it lacks the muscle and growth rate of conventional turkeys.
The Royal Palm turkey is hardy and can survive in a wide temperature range. During foraging trips, they snack on insects, seeds, grasses, leaves, and buds.
Farming
Small-scale farmers can benefit from raising Royal Palms. Royal Palms are a good size bird for home consumption, but they won’t satisfy commercial meat producers. Although turkeys have a much greater appetite than chickens, Royal Palms are such skilled foragers that they can provide for themselves most of the time.
Since they can survive as free-range birds with little in the way of shelter or food, Royal Palm turkeys are a relatively simple pet to care for. Large and agile, they are less likely to be attacked by predators, and they contribute to society by eating unwanted pests. Give them the right food.
Uses
Royal Palms are typically used for ornamental and exhibition purposes due to their small size and stunning appearance. People who enjoy the art of exhibiting birds often choose from among these species.
Although some subsistence farmers raise Royal Palm turkeys for consumption, these birds are too small to be of any use to large-scale slaughterhouses.
Natural pest control can also be achieved by keeping Royal Palm turkeys. Because of how well they can forage, they are able to rid their territory of potentially dangerous insects like ticks.
Appearance
Coloration on Royal Palm turkeys is particularly vivid and eye-catching. You can tell them apart by the metallic black tips on their primarily white feathers. On their backs, they carry a black saddle.
They have light brown eyes and black beards, and their heads, necks, and wattles range in color from red to blue-white. Legs and feet of royal palms are pink.
Royal Palms, both sexes, look the same. On the other hand, men’s faces change tone depending on how they’re feeling. Their normally blue faces take on a purplish tint when they get worked up. There is another way to distinguish between male and female turkeys, and that is that only the males gobble.
Conclusion
Royal palm turkeys may be deceiving, as they can be used for food if you don’t have high expectations for their meat yield. The royal palm turkey is a great option if you’re looking for a multipurpose bird. Royal palm turkeys are prepared to either eat pests or improve the aesthetics of your farm.
