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


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