Let's talk Turkey

We, the Marezydoats team, have been turkey enthusiasts from the time we welcomed our first poults in late spring.  To be honest, the young ones, a variety pack from McMurray hatchery were so ugly you would have to love them.  It was quite deflating to see how vulnerable they were to sudden and not so sudden death.  I was committed to a school function only days after they arrived and one white one was so ill I took it with me to the school cradled in my sports bra for the afternoon as I operated a tractor.  It didn't make it, but I felt it had known a mother's love.  Past the three week point, they were the last crew in the brooding room and a delightful bunch they were, little peeps, hardly any mess or smell, eating and drinking 1/2 of what the heritage chicks ate and less than a quarter of what the broilers consumed.

They soon found their way outdoors and grew with wild abandon, yet never turned their turkey paddock into a muddy mess as the chickens do.  Within 7 weeks of age they were avid flyers, especially the black spanish, and were free ranging of their own accord, roosting on the deck in the evening and being herded home at night.  The irregular and ill-advised early morning flying lessons soon led to the Great Turkey Massacre of late June where 4 were eaten in a morning by presumed coyotes.  Thus the Great Pyrenees puppy, Yedi, joined our lives and militant measures were taken for the protection of the remaining crew.  The new turkey house was engineered and constructed by hubby Joe in a weekend for under $150.00 and a new set of poults arrived ordered from Strombergs hatchery this time.  These poults were as vigorous as the last were sickly and brought new hope, we chose our breeds this time; Black Spanish and Standard Bronze.  The hope is to have turkeys breeding next year and let the mothers raise their own babies, eliminating the need for brooding.  We also lucked into a local turkey source thanks to Craigslist and scored 4 White Standards (and 4 guinea hens).

The flock is truly accepting and they watch each other closely, the babies are wild and footloose under the care of Ezmerelda, the eldest Black Spanish.  We were delighted to acquire a breeding pair of Narraganssett and their three offspring as well, these are the supermodels of the turkey world and are prized by chefs for their flavor.  Something to keep in mind with the heritage turkey venture is they can fly, not across the patio, but think the 747 of the poultry world.  Low, loud, full of fuel and something you would rather not come into velocitated contact with.  The turkeys remain easy on the land, free ranging, smart and a real lover of garden treats, especially rotten tomatoes.  Driving up the drive one could be discouraged by the appearance of being assailed with the rotten fruit, but then upon second glance notice the flock of 20 pound birds heading in one's direction and take note to spare offense.

We have the sincere hope for the continued health, happiness and vitality of the current flock and the hope they find each other wildly attractive in the carnal sense.  Mr.Smithers, our eldest N tom and his mate, Agent 99, are confirmed progenitors, we wish them the best, with privacy, ambiance, and we are in no way opposed to liqueur if that brings more poults around.  We will have several birds for Thanksgiving, some are promised already, as well as birds for Christmas.  The rest, well, live it up my loves, life is a cabaret old chums....