USDA Certified Organic Heritage Turkeys and Chickens

Guttenberg Farms USDA Certified Organic Heritage Turkeys

At only $6.80/lbs. for on-farm sales, our extremely rare USDA certified organic pastured heritage turkeys are the best value on the market, compared to $12-15/lbs retail. Our organic heritage turkeys usually weigh between 12-20 pounds. Some of the hens are smaller (9-11 pounds). Since we specialize in quality and not quantity, please call in advance for availability or reserve your turkey online now for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It is never too early to reserve your certified organic pastured heritage turkey from Guttenberg Farms.

Let's Talk Turkey

According to the National Turkey Federation, 95% of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving. Choosing a turkey may be confusing since there are so many options. Should you buy fresh or frozen? What about natural or organic or free-range?

Different Types of Turkey

Natural Turkey - Anything labeled natural must be minimally processed and contain no flavor agents, artificial ingredients, coloring or preservatives. They usually cost $1-$2/lbs. and can be purchased from supermarkets and natural food stores.

Free-Range Turkey - If you are concerned about animal rights, these are the turkeys for you because they are allowed to access the outdoors. Because of their diet of bugs and grubs and exercise, they have a more robust flavor and texture. They usually cost $2.50-$5/lbs. and can be purchased directly from a farm or from natural foods stores.

Organic Turkey - These are free-range turkeys that are also fed pesticide and chemical free grains and are not given antibiotics. They tend to be more expensive and have a strong turkey flavor. They cost $3.50-$4.50/lbs. and can be purchased directly from a farm or from natural foods stores.

Heritage Turkey - These are direct descendants of the first domesticated turkeys raised by the settlers. They are a far cry from the current white "frankenbirds" that are raised commercially. They tend to be free-range or pastured and very few are USDA certified organic. They are the most expensive turkeys because: 1) their scarcity and high cost for chicks (poults), 2) extremely costly certified organic feed, 3) much more labor intensive than the commercial "Frankenbirds," and 4) much slower growing rate. They have not been bred to have a large breast and have a robust flavor with a moist chewy almost beef-like texture. They are best roasted at 400-425 degrees (see recipes page) and usually cost $12-$15/lbs retail. They can be purchased directly from Guttenberg Farms for only $6.80/lbs (on-farm sales).

Fresh Turkey - Many chefs and food experts prefer a fresh turkey because they are aged several days, which make them more tender and less dry. Fresh turkeys can be purchased two days before Thanksgiving or Christmas, but must be cooked after two days to avoid food poisoning.

Frozen Turkey - Tend to be drier, which is why many are injected with a brine solution or broth to keep them moist. If you are gluten intolerant, check the label on your injected turkey. Many contain gluten. You can also brine your own thawed turkey for 24 hours to tenderize it and make it more flavorful. Frozen turkeys are less expensive, but you must plan ahead. Frozen turkeys take 24 hours to defrost for each five pounds. A 12-pound turkey will take 2 1/2 days to thaw. A 20-pound turkey will take four days to thaw.

Guttenberg Farms is a small family farm that takes pride in raising the finest USDA certified organic pastured heritage/heirloom turkeys possible. Pasture raised and grass fed -- the way nature intended.