The Slate Turkey, also known as the American Blue or
Lavender Turkey, is variety of turkey that is
ashy blue over the entire body, sometimes with a few black flecks.The slate coloring is theresult of a combination of mutation (one
dominant and one recessive) .
The Slate variety was
accepted by the American Poultry Association in 1874. It has been popular in
exhibition circles and is gaining popularity in pastured poultry production.
Renewed interest in the biological fitness, survivability, and superior flavor
of the Slate has captured consumer interest and created a growing market niche.
The Slate is less well documented and more variable in type and color than any
other variety. This makes it more challenging to breed consistently than the
others. Its production potential today is not known.