Choosing Your Holiday Turkey

“Heirloom” or “Heritage” turkeys are truly exceptional birds. These Auburn, Black, and American Bronze turkeys are rare breeds that have been around for hundreds of years. Like heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables, these turkeys have been bred and passed down from generation to generation.

Heritage turkeys are defined by criteria set by the Livestock Conservancy and the American Poultry Association. They must have a long productive lifespan and be genetically able to withstand their natural environment. Heritage turkeys must have a slower rate of growth, which gives them time to develop a strong skeletal structure and healthy organs before building muscle mass. Lastly, Heritage turkeys must be the result of naturally mating pairs, and not artificially inseminated. Diestel’s Heirloom Turkeys are certified organic and fed a vegetarian diet that’s free of GMOs, animal by-products, antibiotics, growth enhancers and hormones.