Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved turkeys at all

[TurkeyOutlaw]

We had to rehome our turkeys last weekend because a neighbor reported us to the city (which shall remain nameless).

We are very grateful for the experience of raising turkeys.
It was a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, with the highs far exceeding our expectations.

I'm not asking for sympathy; we were fully aware that the turks were illegal, and may have to be rehomed. I'm simply posting this as a cathartic exercise to ease my broken heart.

I will admit the relief in not having to worry about their safety, or doing the deed at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
But I miss my turkeys very much. They were so much fun!

I don't know who turned us in, but it matters not. I know what I need to do: I need to let go of the resentment in my heart (because it is poison).

The laws are what they are.

We were fortunate to find an excellent home for them at a vineyard in Windsor, CA. They are living in an enclosed pen adjacent to a 100 year old barn.

We WILL have turkeys again someday, even if it means moving to the country.

A couple of the neighborhood moms cried when the found out, because their kids LOVED coming over to see the turkeys.

We are so glad we pushed the boundaries and tried the turkeys. Better to have loved and lost turkeys than never to have loved turkeys at all.

Thanks for listening....
Cheers.....

 

[Frosty]

I am so sorry that you had to give them up... they really are special birds! I think you should petition the city to change the laws.

 

[ivan3]

Frosty wrote: I am so sorry that you had to give them up... they really are special birds! I think you should petition the city to change the laws.

x2

 

[Chambertin]

Figures,
Other moms jealous that you are special and thier kids like going to your place more.

Maybe you can get the laws changed and try again? Or just go smaller? Are chickens allowed?
Have some chickens in the house and let the rooster out in some camo to wake up the "nameless" neighbor in the middle of the night.

Good luck and as you said, you will have them again.

 

[frank53061]

Its a shame that people are like that.
I live out in the country with very few neighbors and I have plenty of room for my Turkeys to roam but they seem to want to stay Farley close to the house.
There are parent's that will from time to time that walk with there young children and will see the Chickens and the Turkeys from the road and will stop and stand at the edge of the road and just watch them and the kids seem to really enjoy this as well as the parents.
I have heard a little girl ask her mother mommy what is that and the mother replied that's a Turkey and I have heard that more than once.
We have had people move into my area in the last few years that are not country folk and were not exposed to much out side the town or city as far as farm animals.

I know that what has happened leaves a little pain in your heart but like you said to have had the experience and the memories you can Cherish.
I hope you are able to have Turkeys once again someday.

 

[myfinefeatheredfriends]

I personally think that as long as the animals are being taken care of, which yours clearly were, and you have enough space for them, which you did, nobody should be able to say anything. I think that some people do it just because they are jealous. If the issue is noise, dogs bark louder than a turkey can gobble so I don't see why you couldn't have kept them. Good luck to you and I hope you get turkeys again someday

 

[Chambertin]

I really have to laugh about stuff like this sometimes.
Please dont take this the wrong way, I really feel for your situation and the feelings you must have giving them away.

Still, everyone talks about the "freedom" and "independance" back in the US.
Well... If you have a large area why cant you use your property freely?
Over here in red communist China I can do whatever I want in my apartment, even keep chickens and turkeys. Its my house and I can do what I want.
Sad I had to go to a communist country to do what I want in my backyard.

Hope you find a good solution.

 

[Stephanie739]

I really have to laugh about stuff like this sometimes.
Please dont take this the wrong way, I really feel for your situation and the feelings you must have giving them away.

Still, everyone talks about the "freedom" and "independance" back in the US.
Well... If you have a large area why cant you use your property freely?
Over here in red communist China I can do whatever I want in my apartment, even keep chickens and turkeys. Its my house and I can do what I want.
Sad I had to go to a communist country to do what I want in my backyard.

Hope you find a good solution.

soo true

 

[Stephanie739]

I'm sorry you had to give up your turkeys.

Your post was a nice tribute to them.

 

[Uly235]

I cant imagine how you feel, I would be heart broken if I had my turkeys taken away just torn apart. I cant believe people can be as such. Crows, birds, bugs, dogs, and all sorts of animals where I live make more noise than anything else and still some people i know are not to happy with me having turkeys and chickens. Its not legal where I live to have them but I would fight till death to keep them as its my land and my choosing as long as I dont infringe upon peoples rights. Its common law, to do as you wish as long as you dont infringe upon others all these laws and stuff is just hogwash. With enough fighting I bet you could win as this is a free country clouded in lies.

I do send good wishes that someday you have your dream farm : )