Turkeys not for stuffing

 

 

This is Noel who is one of our sanctuary resident turkeys.  He’s been with us for nearly ten years now and is a fine bird, although showing his age a bit.   We don’t know how old he was when he was brought in, we rescued him one Christmas to save him from being a dinner.

Turkeys can live up to fifteen years although the commercial factory farmed birds have a very short and miserable life.   Turkeys make excellent companions and both male and female are quiet and gentle.   It’s always best to keep more than one as they are sociable and gregarious birds.

Noel is very handsome and has beutiful purple/bronze feathers.   Although quite large, he is good natured with other animals and even lets the cats share his dish of mince, which is a treat he loves.   Turkeys naturally come from North America and are woodland birds, they fly well and roost in trees at night. I’d love to see them in their natural habitat.

They are easy to keep but need a largish shed so they don’t feel cramped.   They put themselves to bed at night and are happy to see you when they are let out in the morning.   Although they can fly they are ‘home’ birds and don’t escape very often.   They eat poultry corn and a variety of scraps, Noel is very partial to a mince pie!

 

 

 

 

This is how commercial turkeys are kept.   It is a short and cruel life for them.   These are intelligent birds with a strong sense of family and social grouping.   They relate well to us humans even though they are often treated very badly.

i don’t know how the tradition of eating a turkey for Christmas dinner originated in this country.   I can imagine being a settler in the wilds of Canada and having nothing else to eat mid-winter.    But we are awash with food in the U.K. and there is so much to choose from.   If you have decided on eating a dead bird this Christmas please make sure it is from a free range farm where he will have had a good life, fresh air and freedom – for a little while at least.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’d like to ‘adopt’ one of our rescued turkeys please get in touch.  Adoption fee is £12 per year and we’ll send you a photograph, adoption certificate and the story of your bird with regular updates.  Makes a great gift.