The Beltsville Small White turkey was created by a breeding program started by the
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, Maryland. The breeding
program lasted from 1934-1941, and it was designed for the creation of a turkey that
would meet consumer demands for a smaller bird. Researchers used Bronze, Narragansett,
White Austrian, White Holland, and Wild turkey to develop the Beltsville Small White.
In 1951, it became a recognized Variety by the American Poultry Association. However,
by the 1970s the bird was almost extinct. Today, conservation efforts are being made
in the United States and Canada.
The Beltsville Small White is a small bird, with young toms weighing an average of
17 lbs and young hens weighing an average of 10 lbs. The bird has white plumage and
a red to bluish-white head. Additionally, Beltsville Small White Turkeys have a black
beard, dark brown eyes, horn-colored beaks, and pinkish-white toes and shanks.
References
"Beltsville Small White Turkey." The Livestock Conservancy. The Livestock Conservancy, n.d. Web. 9 July 2019.
"A Brief History of Turkey Research and the Role of the Beltsville Agricultural Research
Center." USDA-ARS. USDA-ARS, n.d. Web. 9 July 2019.