Happy Turkey Day - to the turkeys who don’t die
From Adopt A Turkey:
I had a few turkey eggs this year and thought about getting turkeys. After reading how to take care of them I realize that I’m not qualified. It’s too bad there isn’t a local expert.
A great pic of turkeys enjoying Thanksgiving dinner.
Did you know that dogs talk to each other?
My dog has killed rabbits and even a quail baby. I always told him NOT to chase quail and birds, that he was BAD when he chased them. But, you know dogs, when they think you’re not watching, they do it anyway. I don’t mind him chasing rabbits anymore, don’t think he caught one since his hunting partner moved away. He’s too slow to catch a rabbit by himself and it’s good exercise for him.
So I was VERY worried when we first visited someone with free ranging chickens. The chickens were used to their owner’s dog Cactus who considered them part of the family. The dogs would play and run all over the property and my dog never once went after the chickens. Later there were a couple of baby turkeys and they even went up to him. I was anxious, my dog just a bit curious.
The dogs never had a confrontation over the chickens, they’re just best friends and always playing. But somehow, Cactus must have told my dog that those chickens and turkeys were NOT to be chased.
I suppose that’s like the neighbor’s dog telling my dog to stay away from snakes. City dogs don’t know that, they try to play with snakes and get bit. My dog somehow knew that snakes are very dangerous. And he doesn’t just ignore snakes, but barks like crazy.
Unfortunately, all the chickens and turkeys were later killed by a pack of roaming dogs and coyotes. Cactus was probably sleeping in his owner’s bed. I’d like to have a few chickens and/or turkeys for eggs, but I’d have to get at least one more dog to protect them. Once the coyotes know there’s food, it’ll be hard to keep them away. And then what do you do with them when they don’t lay eggs anymore?
In town a bobcat got in a chicken house once and he then came back for more. It was weird, he had killed almost all the chickens when the bullet hit. He should have just taken one and left.
Many years ago in San Francisco I “inherited” chickens from the former tenant. She left a bunch of food for them, but it didn’t take long until the raccoons broke the chicken wire. I’d wake up at night from the chickens screaming and a few times I got outside in time to save them. Eventually, the raccoons got them all.
Well, that’s my chicken and turkey experiences. I watched the video at MSNBC about turkeys and factory farming is so appalling. I won’t be eating a turkey this Thanksgiving.
I actually haven’t bought turkey or chicken in quite a few years with the exception of organic free range chicken a few times. When I’m invited somewhere or at a restaurant, I don’t really care. I suppose when I’m doing the shopping and cooking I’m more aware.
We try not to eat mass produce crap either, can you imagine what you ingesting? I’ve been trying to talk my husband into getting our own chickens and a cow before the sh*t really hits the fan. So far he’s quite resistant. I hope I won’t have to say I told you so. We’ll see.
To take care of farm animals WELL isn’t easy and isn’t cheap. Of course you have to consider the true cost of “cheap” food, doctor and hospital bills and of course the pain associated with illness.
I’d rather pay more to the farmers and ranchers than pay the doctors and pharmaceuticals.
People with kids really should have chickens and maybe a cow or two. I recently read about some friendly smaller cows that are very easy to train and don’t need that much pasture. They’re great family pets. Forgot what they’re called, but I’ll look it up and that’s something to post at Trado.
Am still working on setup, but hope to be done any day now.
