I’m a Turkey

I’m a Turkey 

I’m a majestic bird

A bird of color 

A land bird 

I can be heard on the farm 

I have over 28 calls

My gobble gobble is my most used and most popularly known. 

I am a terrestrial bird 

Though I graze the land I too can fly

I’m more on the ground but I have wings and legs to thrust upwards in the sky if I have to escape a potential predator.

Domesticated turkeys raised on the farm usually don’t fly because of their diet which is different from that of a wild turkey. 

Wild turkeys usually fly to seek shelter in trees where they roost. 

They’re not high flying birds.

They adapt to their surroundings as they do not migrate like other birds who can fly far distances to escape the cold.

Wild turkeys and farm turkeys can adapt to snowy conditions but seek out shelter or are placed in warm buildings on the farm.

Wild turkeys have to be careful of hunters who can get them on land or in flight. 

Turkeys are big birds so as they grow it gets harder for them to get sky bound.

As a baby turkey, known as a poult or chick, at 5 weeks, is their most opportune time to spread their wings and fly or roost in the trees.

Baby turkeys, poults are walking on their own in a day after hatching but go back to their nest for up to 8 weeks.

Baby girl turkeys are known as jennys and baby boy turkeys are known as jakes. 

In their first four weeks of development baby turkeys are completely dependent on their mothers. 

Baby turkeys can fly upwards of 25 to 50 feet and distances of up to a quarter mile.

Turkeys are beautiful birds with noticeable characteristics and a lovely pattern of colors.

They have a fan of 18 feathers known as tail retrices which is their source for flight stability, steering and landing control.

They have a wattle which is a flap of skin connecting the throat and head.

The snood is the fleshy part that hangs down from the turkey’s face.

Adult male turkeys, known as Tom turkeys must compete with others to win the affection of the female turkey during mating season. 

In American culture the turkey is the traditional feast for the thanksgiving celebration in addition to mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberries, greens, bread and pies. 

In 1621 the Pilgrims and Indians shared dining over a 3 day autumn festival in Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

The holiday is held on the third Thursday of the month in November.

The President of the United States in one of their official roles is to pardon the White House turkey or turkeys but it’s symbolic but the chosen turkeys are then able to live out the rest of their lives on a farm or plantation where they are protected.

The first pardon of the turkey was performed by President Abraham Lincoln at Christmas when his son took a liking to the turkey treating it like a pet so as per his son’s request he spared the turkey, saving its life.

Another pardon of a turkey took place on November 19, 1963 before Thanksgiving as President John F Kennedy declared the turkey to be spared its life to live it out on the farm. 

Sadly President John F Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 dying before the thanksgiving holiday falling on November 28, 1963. 

Eerily reminiscent of President Lincoln’s assassination after the civil war on April 14, 1965. He died on April 15. 

Now it’s presidential tradition to pardon the Thanksgiving turkey every thanksgiving holiday.

There are two species of turkey; the North American Wild turkey, with 5 subspecies and the oscillated turkey of the Yucatán peninsula found in Mexico, in Guatemala and in Belize. 

The lifespan of a turkey raised on a poultry farm is approximately 20 weeks. 

In the wild it is 3 to 4 years and on a farm dedicated to the growth of the turkey it can be as long as 10 years when they are allowed to grow and fed well and taken care of medically.

Turkeys are intelligent birds, highly social and wonderful animals. They live in flocks. 

In the wild the males after 6 months leave their nest to form sibling groups that last all throughout their remaining lives. 

Turkeys are known to form lifelong bonds and are very sensitive and very affectionate.

Turkeys are also known to feel grief when they experience loss in their group. 

Sadly turkeys raised on poultry farms can experience animal cruelty as they are raised for slaughter which is very heartbreaking especially because these birds are such magnificent animals.

In poultry farms they also are fattened up and barely have room to move around in when housed in cages.

On backyard farms turkeys can live free and with respect and dignity. 

They must be watched at all times and must be protected from predators that may encroach on their territory. 

Turkeys need water and to be fed and housed in coops for their protection and safety. 

They also need to have their coops cleaned regularly so the turkeys don’t get sick.

They also require high perches and adequately sized nesting boxes. 

Raising turkeys as pets is not for everyone as the birds require lots of care and attention.

Turkeys need to be fenced in safely in backyards with plenty of land to graze for feeding, plenty of fresh water, coops and nesting boxes to keep them safe, and feed that meets their nutritional requirements.

I live with my farmer friends and am lucky to live on a backyard farm where I am surrounded with other turkeys living comfortably knowing I am safe and healthy and protected.

No dinner plate will I be served on as I’m free to live out my life.

I think of my turkey friends not so lucky.

I’m happy and having a good time.

I’m in good hands 

I’m a turkey.