Lilac Turkeys
A Lilac tom turkey
Photo courtesy of Tom Richardson
Following text with permission from
"1998 SPPA Turkey Census
Report"
by Paula Johnson
Lilacs are silvery blue with red flecking, wings are white and the tail has a wide band of red. This is an old variety that actually produces four color types. when breeding Lilac to Lilac, only 1/4 of the offspring will be Lilac. Another 1/4 will be fawn (tan colored), which will breed true. Another 1/4 will be red slate (slate with reddish tint and red tail), which will breed true. The last 1/4 will be a light bronze color. Just 13 hens and 11 toms were listed, which makes up less than 1% of the Historical turkey population reported. The largest flock has 5 hens. More breeders are needed!
A pair of Lilacs
Photo courtesy of Phil Sponenberg of
the American Livestock Breeds
Conservancy
Young Lilac toms
Photo courtesy of Pam Marshall
Another Lilac tom
Photo courtesy of Phil Sponenberg of
the American Livestock Breeds
Conservancy
This hen, although she's a mutt and not from Lilac stock,
shows the color well, if perhaps slightly darker than preferred
Photo courtesy of Pam Marshall
A Lilac tom displaying
Photo courtesy of Anderson Hatchery
This is a view of the underside of a Lilac tail
Photo courtesy of Pam Marshall
A Lilac poult
Photo courtesy of Connor Elliott
Variation in Lilac poults
Photo courtesy of Connor Elliott
or
Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments