Visit to turkey farm

[easttxchick]

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Last night I thought about asking DH if we could raise a turkey for next year, but realized that would never happen - the part about it being for next years thanksgiving.

Our meat supplier is sold out of hams and I refuse to buy one in the grocery store. Fortunately our SIL is being given a locally processed ham from a range fed pig, so that takes care of thanksgiving this year.

Christmas will be brisket, from our regular supplier.

Yep, when he follows me around like a dog and eats out of the feed bucket or my hand...NEVER gonna happen! Turkeys are gawky, goofy eating machines, but very social and sweet(at least mine is).
He's not dinner, he's my helper when I feed everyone and a dang good flock protector!
A stupid hawk tried to grab one of my chickens this morning and my turkey boy said, "NO WAY" and ran the hawk off. Love him!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

Last night I thought about asking DH if we could raise a turkey for next year, but realized that would never happen - the part about it being for next years thanksgiving.

Our meat supplier is sold out of hams and I refuse to buy one in the grocery store. Fortunately our SIL is being given a locally processed ham from a range fed pig, so that takes care of thanksgiving this year.

Christmas will be brisket, from our regular supplier.

Yep, when he follows me around like a dog and eats out of the feed bucket or my hand...NEVER gonna happen! Turkeys are gawky, goofy eating machines, but very social and sweet(at least mine is).
He's not dinner, he's my helper when I feed everyone and a dang good flock protector!
A stupid hawk tried to grab one of my chickens this morning and my turkey boy said, "NO WAY" and ran the hawk off. Love him!

So you have turkey hens for him now, correct? Be sure to include a few turkey eggs in with the duckie eggs when you send em. When they hatch I'll just tell Keith that you are a bit senile and got confused.

 

[easttxchick]

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Yep, when he follows me around like a dog and eats out of the feed bucket or my hand...NEVER gonna happen! Turkeys are gawky, goofy eating machines, but very social and sweet(at least mine is).
He's not dinner, he's my helper when I feed everyone and a dang good flock protector!
A stupid hawk tried to grab one of my chickens this morning and my turkey boy said, "NO WAY" and ran the hawk off. Love him!

So you have turkey hens for him now, correct? Be sure to include a few turkey eggs in with the duckie eggs when you send em. When they hatch I'll just tell Keith that you are a bit senile and got confused.

Sadly, no, I decided against getting the hens from that particular place. It just seemed like too large of a farm with too many breeds running around together. That just concerns me a bit... He may not have girlfriends until the spring, poor boy, but he seems OK for now. Fortunately he's still young.
You're so much like me that turkeys would be something you would love!

 

[PotterWatch]

My turkeys are very sweet and personable as well. They follow anyone around like puppy dogs, and let themselves be picked up, carried, and petted. They will still be tasty Thanksgiving though!

 

[Oregon Blues]

The pig that died to provide that ham was a sweetie, too, with an adorable face and that Butterball had the same sweet turkey face as the one at the turkey farm.

Sorry, but I can't quite get this attitude that if you buy it from the grocery store, no animal died. The turkey from the fresh turkey farm was probably better treated, which to me, suggests that the farm should get some financial support instead of giving your money to the gigantic agri-business that raised the Butterball in crowded conditions.

Or, if the turkey farm wasn't providing good care, find a local farmer that raises a few birds.

(Nothing against Butterball. I've eaten many of them and they are delicious birds. It's just that I realize that something died and lost it's feathers in order to get that frozen turkey to the grocery store)

 

[CluckyJay]

It just makes t easier to digest when you never saw their sweet faces.

Next time, breed MEAN turkey! Then you won't have a problem come slaughter time, hehe.

 

[desertdarlene]

I think it has to do with being emotionally attached to animals that you've raised since babies who trust you and see you as mom and their protector/provider. It'll happily follow you straight to the slaughter area because it trusts you and then you chop it's head off. Some people have more of a problem with it than others.

 

[easttxchick]

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Thank you, Darlene, you said it beautifully!

 

[EmtheFishLady]

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As far as I'm concerned...that is all that exists.

 

[gritsar]

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Or the attitude of "I don't care where it came from I'm going to eat it anyhow". I've been called alot of things but never an ostrich with my head stuck in a hole in the ground, thank goodness.