The Slate or Blue Slate variety is named for its color, which is solid to ashy blue over the entire body, with or without a few black dots. It is also called the Blue or Lavender turkey.
Hens are lighter in color than the toms.
The head, throat, and wattles are red to bluish white. The shanks and toes are pink. Standard weights are 27 pounds for toms and eighteen pounds for hens. The Slate was accepted by the American Poultry Association in 1874. It resembles the Black turkey and may have been derived from that variety.