Romagnolo

Synonyms or local names: Tacchino di Romagna

Geographic origin: Romagna

Geographic distribution: Emilia-Romagna

Estimated total population size: 31 (Castillo et al., 2021)

Extinction risk status (FAO, 1998): Critical conserved

Historical origin of the breed

Romagnolo turkey is a breed originated in Romagna, with a unique role in local poultry history. According to some authors, Romagnolo was not considered to be a real breed, in the past. It was rather thought to be an ecotype born of local turkeys cross-breeding. This could depend on its straw-yellow skin and small size, which made it unattractive on local markets. Nonetheless, Romagnolo turkeys were very appreciated abroad, in particular in France, especially small size birds, weighing 2,5-3 kg.
Romagnolo breed differs from other italian authocthonous breeds in some unique traits, such as small size, yellow skin, and a remarkable genetic variety in colours. In the past, it was reared mainly for the brooding aptitude of the females and for meat quality, hold to be tasty and of high quality.
Nowadays, rearing and conservation of Romagnolo turkeys are mainly in charge of fancy breeders and breeder associations, among which A.R.V.A.R., Romagna Authocthonous Breed and Variety Association (Associazione Razze e Varietà Autoctone Romagnole), plays a prominent role, having been committed for years in Romagnolo breed safeguard and rescue.

Bibliography and sitography

Tacchino Romagnolo. Scheda tecnica per l’iscrizione al repertorio. Regione Emilia Romagna

https://www.agraria.org/tacchini/romagnolo.htm

Qualitative morphological traits

Plumage colours: White mottled with black, White mottled with red, Black-winged bronze, Greyish (Grigiastro), Multi-coloured (Variopinto), Uniform red (Rosso uniforme), Discoloured black (Nero sbiadito)

Colour features:
Single colour: Black-winged bronze, Greyish, Uniform red, Discoloured black
Bi-colour: White mottled with black, White mottled with red, Multi-coloured

Depending on the colour, primaries and secondaries can lack the classic alternate stripe pattern (barring).

Colour pattern: Several colours are admitted, which could make Romagnolo look similar to other Italian authocthonous breeds. However, the best traits to identify this breed are the particularly small size and the yellowish colouring of the skin. Colours can lack uniformity, as birds are not selected by colour.

White mottled with black: speckled or classic ermin pattern

Greyish: silver pencilled with black mesh pattern

Multi-coloured: combination of black, red, and white hues, with iridescent areas

Uniform red: uniform red, throughout the whole plumage

Discoloured black: ink black, without any iridescence

Poult plumage colour: Yellow to grey, with uniform, streaked or striped down

Head: Generally naked, medium to small-sized

Face: Naked, with medium-developement, fine-grain caruncles, red to blueish or white depending on the bird mood

Multi-coloured Romagnolo male (UniMOL)

Greyish Romagnolo female (UniMOL)

Neck: Variable in colour, arched and medium-lengthed, with caruncles on the upper part; the wattle on the upper front neck is more developed in the male.

Caruncles: Medium-developement, fine-grain, red to blueish. The fleshy protruberance above the beak is usually present.

Throat wattle colour: Variable, often in synchronisation with caruncles’ colour

Iris colour: Dark brown to black, with protruding pupil; large, very lively eyes

Beak colour: Horn; quite short, but strong, and slightly arched

Skin colour: Bright yellow to pale straw yellow

Shank colour: Black to horn, up to streaked

Shank feathering: Free from feathers

Other specific and distinct visible traits: Particularly small size and yellow skin