Turkey Update

I haven't mentioned the turkeys recently so I thought it was time to give an update, since Thanksgiving is getting closer. First of all, we no longer have Lady. She was killed. We are 99.9% sure it was our dog, Jax, who no longer lives with us consequently. We did replace her with another hen about the same age, but she is not related to Tom, so that is the good part. Her name is Sasha and while they get along well, they don't have the same chemistry as Tom and Lady did.

When Lady was killed, Tom was also pretty ruffled up. He had many feathers missing and we found him in shock hiding in the old combine on the hill by the turkey house. Luckily he's made a full recovery and doing well.

Last picture I posted of Tom vs. now.

As you can see, Tom has gotten much bigger. He also thinks he's much more intimidating. The kids know to keep their distance, for some reason they really get Tom fluffy. He's always puffing up when they are nearby. We think it is their height, it must be threatening to him and his mate who he must protect. While he'll deflate and run if I run towards him, he holds his stance if the kids get close and I know he'd totally peck them. Mason is scared and will stay away, but the girls are fearless. I have to play body guard too often. The other day the kids were playing in the driveway (in the mud, nonetheless) and Tom started coming down the hill to show how tough he is. I just had to chase him away a couple times and for like a half hour he just paced back and forth at the top of the hill all puffed up.

The turkeys are total creepers. They watch me do dishes, they watch us eating meals, they watch the kids playing in the living room.. he gives meaning to the term peeping Tom. I don't mind, I just wish they'd stop pooping on the deck.

Tyler built a nice sized run off the turkey house a few months ago. We thought it would be nice for when we weren't going to be home all day so they wouldn't have to be cooped up.

We have decided for sure that Tom and Sasha will be sticking around for the long haul.  No turkeys for Thanksgiving this year, but perhaps next year. As soon as Sasha starts laying (in the spring), we'll be incubating and hopefully hatching a good number of turkey poults to raise for meat or sell.  So keep us in mind for your holiday meal needs next year!