Turkey Talk

Turkey weighing is a more challenging job than you would first think. Fortunately, last week, I had some good help. Wren is seen in the picture reading the scale while Jersey records the data. I had the unenviable task of catching those fiesty things, attaching a cinch rope to their feet, and placing them on the scale. Suffice it to say that the turkeys do not love this process. If they were just chill about it, it wouldn't be a problem. They are not chill. In the best-case scenario, they flap their wings, and I am able to stay out of the way. In the worst-case scenario, the wing catches me like a left hook (they are strong), and a sharp turkey claw leaves me with yet another turkey scar. We weighed about 20% of these birds to get a good representative sample of male and female weights. This batch will be processed two weeks younger than the first batch, but even so, they are weighing out pretty well. After we finished our weighing, the girls helped me move this batch to the free-range pasture. Soon, this batch will take a ride to the processor, and we will be turkeyless on the farm for the first time in months. I've written before how that signals to me that the end of another growing season is at hand. Watching these girls grow up is a constant reminder that the growing seasons come and go by quickly. Each little season is best enjoyed for what it is, and that's what I try my best to do. I enjoy each turkey growing season despite the nuance and individual challenges that come with every batch. I'm also trying to savor and enjoy this season of life. Our children are growing up well and have all developed their own individual personalities. I love the turkeys, cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep, but these kids are my favorite thing I've ever raised on this farm.