Turkeys

Narragansett Turkeys and Broad Breasted White Turkeys

Johnathan Woodward (age 15) has had a fascination with turkeys since he was 7. Since his mom, Jacque, was terrified of fowl of any kind, they held off on purchasing turkeys until Johnathan was old enough to be in 4-H. In 2015, he acquired his first set of Broad Breasted White Turkeys as well as a few Bronze turkeys. He raised all 12, never losing one bird.

After Johnathan raised his Broad Breasted Whites, he learned that because this is a commercially raised turkey, which because they grow so quickly, they are unable to mate naturally. He started researching turkey breeds and found a heritage breed of turkey called the Narragansett. The breed originates from Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, the result of a mating between domestic European turkeys brought to the United States, and the native eastern wild turkey. According to the Livestock Conservancy, the Narragansett is listed as a ‘Watch’ breed which means fewer than 5,000 breeding pair in the United States, with ten or fewer primary breeding flocks, and an estimated global population less than 10,000.
Johnathan acquired his first breeding pair of Narragansett’s and his goal is to raise awareness of this heritage breed, their ability to mate naturally, are good mothers, and are good meat birds. In 2016, he started showing his Narragansett’s, and was awarded at the Ohio State Fair youth division, his hen, ‘Fredericka’ was first place old hen, and his tom, ‘Freddie’, was first place old tom. Freddie then went on to be named Grand Champion Breeding Turkey overall!

In November 2016, he set his goals to attend the Ohio National Poultry Show, which is the largest poultry show in North America with over 6,600 birds! He came home with first place young trio (tom, and two hens that he bred and raised) along with a 2nd place old hen, 2nd place old tom, and a first place young Tom, ‘Duke’ who ended up Reserve Grand Champion overall Turkey! Johnathan also Won the 11 year old showmanship division! His younger brother, Ty, was second place in the 6 and under division, with his call duck ‘Zuma’

For 2017, Johnathan started out by using his money and building his own 24 x 32 turkey barn! It is fully insulated, and when finished will have a complete office to house his incubator, hatcher, and brooder area. His barn boasts of 3 Tom/breeding pens, and 4 grow out pens.
Johnathan again attended the 2017 Ohio State Fair youth poultry show, where his own bred, hatched, and raised Narragansett Tom, Jake, Won Grand Champion Breeding Turkey, and also, his Narragansett Tom, Duke, was named Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Turkey! Johnathan also won breeding poultry showmanship age 11 against all poultry (he was the only youth who showed a turkey), he won market turkey showmanship and also placed 3rd in his market class with his broad breasted white! Because of this, Johnathan was named Outstanding Market Exhibitior, poultry 11 year old in 2017! He was able to attend the 50th anniversary Sale Of Champions where he received his first ever belt buckle!

In Nov 2017, Johnathan again traveled to Ohio Poultry Nationals, where he won 12 year old poultry showmanship (once again being the only one to show a turkey in his age group) and his birds earned several first places as well as Reserve Variety!

We offer quality show Narragansetts, breeding pairs, young poults and eggs. We ship all over the United States, (shipped a pair to Alaska in November 2016) and are NPIP certified. Please contact us about this wonderful breed! 740-829-2735. Also please like us on Facebook under Woodwards Turkeys!

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHNATHAN for being awarded Reserve Best Turkey Overall in the OPEN division at the 2019 Ohio National Poultry Show ‘Turkey Extravaganza!’ His beautiful Hen was awarded this prize! Johnathan also was named Reserve Best Display in the Open Division as well as Best Narragansett (a hen) as well as Reserve Variety Narragansett (another hen)! Johnathan also won the Turkey Showmanship! Well Done!

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHNATHAN for raising the GRAND CHAMPION Market Turkey at the 2019 OHIO STATE FAIR!

Other fantastic awards at the 2019 Ohio State Fair:
1st place Market Showmanship 3rd place Breeding showmanship 2019 Sale of champions belt buckle, 2019 Livestock show belt buckle, Outstanding Market exhibitor 13 year old in poultry, Overall 3rd place Outstanding Market exhibitor all ages, Grand Champion Breeding Turkey, Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Turkey, 8th place egg judging, 6th place oral reasons, 3rd place poultry skillathon poultry, Sale of Champions Record Sale at $16,500

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHNATHAN for being named 2018 Outstanding Market Exhibitor, 12 year old at the 2018 Ohio State Fair! Along with Grand Champion Breeding Turkey with ‘Duke’! Johnathan also won his market turkey class and market turkey showmanship and was second in his skillathon and was then named 2nd OVERALL ALL ages in the Outstanding Market Exhibitor!
Congratulations to Johnathan Woodward, first place Junior Poultry Showmanship 2016 Coshocton County Fair

Johnathan went on to WIN Supreme Poultry Showmanship of ALL ages!