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.

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!