Auburn

The Auburn turkey is a rare heritage color variety of domestic turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, with warm reddish-brown or chestnut plumage. It appears in old American poultry accounts and is usually discussed alongside early red turkey varieties, though it is far less common than Bourbon Red. Exact shade and markings can vary by line, from rich auburn body feathers to lighter wing or tail accents, and many modern birds come from small preservation or project flocks rather than large commercial breeding programs.

Because the Auburn population is limited, serious keepers pay close attention to source, unrelated breeding pairs, hatch records, and basic vigor. Selection that focuses only on rich color can leave a flock with poor fertility, narrow bodies, or weak legs, so productive heritage type matters. Auburn turkeys are managed like other traditional turkeys: poults need warmth, dry bedding, and a turkey starter ration, while adults benefit from secure roosting shelters and clean range. Buyers should expect variation and ask whether the breeder is maintaining a family line, recreating the color, or crossing for a project.

Colors: Black, Blue Slate, Bourbon Red, Bronze, Buff, Chocolate, Mottled, Narragansett, Penciled, Pied, Red Bronze, Rich Chestnut Red, Royal Palm, Slate, White