Buff Turkey Turkeys: Breed Profile

Buff turkeys are a heritage color variety.

Purpose

They are raised for meat.

Where the breed stands today

The variety is rare.

What to look for in a Buff Turkey project animal

Look for buff color. Have a knowledgeable adult, a breeder or your veterinarian look the animal over before you buy, and compare more than one seller.

Showing Buff Turkey at 4-H and FFA

Turkeys are judged against the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection. Rules differ by fair, so read your show book before you commit.

Pros

• Heritage
• Pretty
• Calm
• Turkeys are impressive show birds and teach poultry management on a larger scale.
• Heritage turkeys have a strong story for record books and direct sales.

Cons

• Few breeders
• Few classes
• Slow growth
• Turkeys are more sensitive to some diseases than chickens, and biosecurity matters.
• They need more space and feed than most poultry.

Caring for your project

Plan for space, secure housing and careful health management. Keep a record book from the first day, and write down feed, health care and costs, because judges and buyers both ask about them.

Getting started

A good first step is to visit a show in your area and watch the classes for your species. Talk with exhibitors, the superintendent and your club advisor about what they look for, and ask whether the show has a class for Buff Turkey. Many students find a mentor this way, and a mentor can save you from the most expensive beginner mistakes.

Planning your budget

Add up the purchase price, feed, bedding, veterinary care, entry fees, travel and equipment before you commit. Ask your advisor what a typical project costs in your county, and plan for the chance that the animal will not qualify for the sale. A realistic budget keeps the project fun for the student and fair to the family.

Show-day tips

Arrive early so the animal and the exhibitor can settle before the class. Check the show book for the class name, age limits and check-in time, and bring your paperwork, feed, water and cleaning supplies. Judges notice calm, well-prepared exhibitors, so keep the animal clean, stay quiet in the ring and answer questions honestly. Afterward, ask the judge for feedback, because a few minutes of advice can shape next year's project.

Learning from the ring

Win or lose, every class teaches something. Write down what the judge said, compare notes with other exhibitors and talk with your advisor about one thing to improve before the next show. Students who treat each show as practice usually improve fastest, and they tend to enjoy the project more.

Questions to ask a breeder

• Are the birds from exhibition or utility stock?
• How old are they, and what are they eating?
• Have they been handled?
• What is their health and vaccination history?
• Does my show have a turkey class?

Bottom line

Buff turkeys are a heritage variety.

To see how the contests work, read How Showmanship Is Judged. Suppliers, vets and feed stores near you are listed at agriculture.directory. For a lighter look at fair life, farm.fm has Turkeys Unamused by Thanksgiving Humor Memes, and the Livestock Conservancy tracks the status of rare breeds.