Free Range, Pastured Heirloom Bronze Turkeys: Tradition Raised Right

At Slanker’s Grass-Fed Meats, we’re proud to offer Free Range, Pastured Heirloom Bronze Turkeys from Koch’s Turkey Farm, one of the most respected family farms in America. These birds are raised the old-fashioned way, on open pastures with plenty of sunshine, clean air, and a 100% vegetarian diet.

The result is a tender, flavorful turkey that represents what real, natural poultry should taste like.

A Heritage Breed with Real Flavor

Koch’s Heirloom Bronze Turkeys come from a very old strain of Orlopp Bronze, known for exceptional flavor, less fat, and superior meat yields. Unlike modern commercial birds bred for rapid growth, these turkeys grow slowly and naturally, the way nature intended. This slower growth allows for better texture and richer taste, making every bite something worth remembering.

Koch’s has long been a leader in ethical and sustainable poultry farming. They were one of the first turkey producers to raise antibiotic-free turkeys on a pure vegetarian diet, and they became the first turkey producer to be Certified Humane®. They are also Global Animal Partnership (GAP) approved, a certification that recognizes farms with higher animal welfare standards.

These birds are raised with twice the amount of space typically allowed in commercial operations. That means less stress, cleaner conditions, and healthier turkeys, all of which translate into higher-quality meat on your table.

A Family Farm with a Purpose

Koch’s Turkey Farm is one of the few remaining family-owned turkey farms still committed to producing the cleanest, healthiest, and best-tasting turkey possible. Their focus on humane practices and natural feeding methods ensures a stress-free life for their turkeys, which directly results in tender, flavorful meat.

This year, we’ll be offering Heritage Bronze Whole Turkeys for Thanksgiving along with two sizes of Heritage Bronze Bone-In Whole Breasts. Throughout the year, we expect to carry ground turkey, wings, breasts, drums, tails, thighs, hearts, livers, gizzards, and more.

Because Heritage Bronze production is limited, some parts will come from Koch’s Broad Breasted White turkeys, which are raised under the same humane, natural conditions.

What Makes These Turkeys Different

Free Range, Pastured Heirloom Bronze Turkeys are raised without growth-promoting hormones, stimulants, or antibiotics. Their diet is non-GMO and all vegetarian, and they spend their lives outdoors on pasture. These conditions produce a turkey that’s both clean and delicious, truly all natural and unsurpassed in quality.

When you prepare a dark-feathered heritage turkey, you may notice small black pigment spots on the skin or the occasional black pin feather. These are natural to the breed and a sign that the bird lived as nature intended. They are cosmetic, not a flaw, and have no effect on taste or safety.

Understanding the Feed and the Science

Over the years, marketing language around poultry has drifted far from reality. Claims like “no soy” or “no corn” are often used as feel-good buzzwords, but nutritionally they have little to no bearing on the quality of the meat. Similarly, “no added hormones” has been federal law for poultry for over 70 years. No farmer, commercial or small-scale, gives hormones to chickens or turkeys because it doesn’t work biologically.

The truth is, what matters most is how the bird lives and what it eats, a balanced non-GMO vegetarian diet and a natural outdoor environment. These factors produce healthier animals and nutrient-rich meat that aligns with real science, not marketing fads.

The Bottom Line

Koch’s Turkey Farm represents the best of American family farming, humane, sustainable, and science-based. Their turkeys are raised with integrity from start to finish, delivering meat that’s pure, flavorful, and raised the right way.

If you want a turkey that tastes like it should, with the quality you can trust, choose a Free Range, Pastured Heirloom Bronze Turkey from Koch’s, available now at Slanker’s Grass-Fed Meats.