Turkey Feathers and All Their Business
What is the Symbolic Meaning of a Turkey?
When you think about a turkey, what comes to mind?
Thanksgiving? Turkey dinner?
You are on the right track. Turkeys, throughout all the trends of time, have been at the forefront of being known as the symbols of abundance and fertility. But also…
- Pride
- Sacrifice
- Awareness
- Generosity
- Virility
- Fertility
So, when a turkey crosses your path, don’t forget to count your blessings. I think that’s a great reminder in our day and age. Look up, watch for a puffed-up turkey, listen for that gobble and be thankful for the beauty and life and love surrounding you.
You can find a lot of articles here on A Life of Heritage that will teach you a lot about poultry and be sure to check out CHICKEN RICH: Profitable Poultry Bundle–It’s FULL of to-do lists, checklists, record keeping sheets, and resource pages that will keep your flock healthy and YOU organized!
What are the Colors of a Turkey’s Feathers?
In general, the feathers of a turkey can be described as brown or white. But the male turkey, like most male birds, usually have “pretty” feathers.
Wild turkey feathers shine. They have iridescent feathers that are banded with beautiful colors of red, green, copper and bronze, and gold. Some can even have reddish-brown, gray and black colors.
Here are seven domestic breeds of turkey’s and their colorations:
Black Turkey
This turkey will have black plumage that has a greenish sheen on top of the feathers and a dull black under color.
Bourbon Reds
The feathers on this turkey are brownish to dark red but have white flight and tail feathers. The tail feathers will have a soft red bar crossing them near the end. The tom feathers can have an edge of black on their body feathers. Their neck and breast feathers are mahogany in color and have a light buff under color.
Bronze Turkeys
This turkey is the one in the history books we all know and love. They have coppery-bronze plumage that has a metallic sheen.
Jersey Buff
These turkeys have a rich reddish-buff color to their body feathers and the same color extends across the tips of their tail feathers. But the rest of the tail feathers are white. Their primary and secondary wing feathers are white and the hens tend to lighten in color as they age.
Narragansett Turkeys
These turkeys contain the colors: black, gray, tan, and white. It looks somewhat similar to the Bronze but doesn’t have a coppery bronze. Instead, it is a steel-gray or dull black. They also have white-wing bars.
Slate or Blue Slate
The Blue Slate Turkeys, also called the Slate, Blue or Lavender Turkey, are a solid to ashy blue over its entire body. They may have black flecks. The toms are darker in color than the hens.
White Holland
You guessed it, this turkey has snow-white feathers!
What Do They Do With Turkey Feathers?
Feathers can be so abundant, but what are they used for?
Interestingly, feathers can be used for a lot of things that probably aren’t thought about right off: Pillow stuffing, Diapers, Insulation, Upholstery padding, Paper, Plastics, and Feather Meal.
But the uses above are ideal for large, commercial quantities of feathers. For the individual use of turkey feathers, there are many uses and decorations that are quite beautiful, useful and even historic.
Turkey Feather Decorations and Turkey Feather Crafts
Turkey Feather Wreath With Leaves and Pine Needles
Turkey Feather Wedding Bouquet
Turkey Feather Drawings
Black and White Turkey Feather
Hawk Painted on Turkey Feather
Tom Painted on a Turkey Feather
Where Can I Buy Turkey Feathers?
Wild Turkey Feathers and Natural Turkey Feathers For Sale
Premium Wild Turkey Grade AA Barred Pattern Feather
Natural Wild Bronze Turkey Feathers
White Turkey Feathers For Sale
White Turkey Feathers for Quills and Decorations
20 Pcs Turkey Quill Feathers 10-12 inches White
Turkey Feathers Bulk
Wholesale 10-100 PCS precious USA wild turkey tail feathers 6-8 inches
As you can see there are a lot of options for turkey feathers! With a bit of creativity and a bunch of feathers, your house can have just the right touch or you can add a bit of cash to your pocket by selling your handmade creativity!
Top Turkey Information
If you are interested in turkeys, then this is where you need to start. These articles will give you all the details you need to know about them from the egg on!
What is a Group of Turkeys Called?
A group of turkeys has a very unique name. What are they called? What is the history behind the name? Find out here to call out, "Hey! Look! It's a..."
Can Turkeys Fly?
Have you ever wondered if these big birds can fly? Find out here...
11 Turkey Breeds You NEED to Know About if You Plan to Raise Turkeys
Find out the turkey breeds that you could bring home to be apart of your flock!
Poultry Binder Bundle
This binder bundle will keep your poultry records organized and up to date with all the pertinant information that is so important!
Do Turkeys Lay Eggs? Your Questions Answered!
If you'd like to know...how do turkeys procreate?
What is a Baby Turkey Called?
The answer to your questions about baby turkeys!
Baby Turkey: The Valuable How-To Information You Need to Raise Poults
Do you plan to raise baby turkeys? This is what you need to know to do it successfully!
Turkey Eggs Facts: (Size, Nutrition, & Taste??), +How to Hatch Them
What about those turkey eggs? What do you need to know about them! This will be your comprehensive guide!
For Further Reading: Turkey Symbolism
Rich Adamo
Sunday 3rd of November 2019
I'm trying to find books of crafting ideas for the use of chicken and turkey feathers that I've been collecting for years. I need a book account I dont have a computer. I find all sorts of site's selling feathers but none of how to craft with them. Any ideas please.
Delci Plouffe
Tuesday 5th of November 2019
Have you checked if Pinterest has any ideas that might work for you? It may have some good ideas!
Victoria
Wednesday 3rd of April 2019
To be cruelty free are you talking about using the feathers of deceased birds or murdered birds for capitalist gain or using torture tactics by plucking them when they are alive?
Delci Plouffe
Wednesday 3rd of April 2019
Hello :) I don't use any of the examples you mention. In fact, the picture linked here shows the feathers I've gathered from my guineas. They are laying around everywhere and there are usually quite a lot where they roost and preen. Pretty easy to pick them up and they are in great shape!
Kim
Wednesday 6th of February 2019
Found your site looking for craft ideas to use with feathers and wanted to say that your turkey pictures are beautiful! After looking through the links, I found a few good potential projects that I could see myself taking on in the future. Anyway, Lovely Site about homesteading for a mom who loves gardening and living simply..
Delci Plouffe
Wednesday 6th of February 2019
Oh wow! Thank you! I'm so glad it was helpful! Enjoy and good luck on the projects!