3 min readfrom Raising Chickens or Other Poultry for Eggs, Meat, or as Pets

Mail Carrier with Baby Turkeys!! (almost) FINAL UPDATE!!

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Hello again, feathered friends! I’m absolutely clucking thrilled by the overwhelming support and knowledge you’ve all shared regarding my baby turkey adventure! 🦃 All six little ones are thriving, and I’ve been busy connecting with resources for their future. After reaching out to the hatchery and the SPCA, I found a sanctuary that’s excited to welcome them if we choose to let them go. However, I’m weighing some serious concerns about keeping them, especially with our large breed dogs around. Plus, I'm anxious about potential salmonella issues affecting our new cookie business! Your thoughts and advice would mean the world to me. Let’s keep this chat going—check out our related article, “Free Range Tips,” for more cluck-tastic insights! Gobble, gobble!

In the whimsical world of backyard poultry, few tales resonate quite like that of a mail carrier's unexpected encounter with baby turkeys. This almost fairy-tale-like scenario has captivated a community of chicken and turkey enthusiasts, shedding light on both the joys and challenges of poultry ownership. The heartfelt update from the original poster reveals a blend of humor, vulnerability, and genuine concern that is all too familiar to anyone who has ever considered expanding their flock. It echoes sentiments found in other discussions, such as the excitement of taking on new feathered friends, as seen in I wanna brag a little bit, so be nice ha. and the practical advice shared in Free range tips.

The narrative of the baby turkeys highlights an important aspect of animal husbandry: the responsibility to ensure the well-being of any animals brought into our lives. The poster's decision to seek sanctuary options instead of considering less humane outcomes demonstrates a commendable commitment to animal welfare. Moreover, the dialogue surrounding the feasibility of keeping these turkeys in a household that includes large dogs adds a layer of complexity that many readers can relate to. It raises critical questions about compatibility between pets and livestock, a topic often brushed over in the excitement of poultry ownership.

What makes this story particularly engaging is the interplay between humor and genuine anxiety. The poster is not just a quirky character; they embody a relatable blend of enthusiasm and apprehension that many new poultry owners experience. Concerns about potential salmonella contamination, for instance, reflect a very real fear that can plague anyone mixing food production with animal husbandry. This is not merely a whimsical tale; it serves as a vivid reminder that the joys of raising chickens or turkeys come with responsibilities that can feel overwhelming at times. It's a sentiment echoed in the apprehensions shared in other posts, such as Im stuck if I got a pair of lavender brahma roos and pair of mottled brahma hens hoping im wrong where new owners navigate the trials of gender identification and the challenges of flock dynamics.

As this story continues to unfold, it invites readers to consider what it means to forge connections with animals while navigating fears and uncertainties. The community's supportive response serves as a reminder that, regardless of our apprehensions, we are not alone in this journey. The humorous exchange of ideas and advice showcases the power of community in shaping our experiences with poultry. It highlights the importance of asking questions, seeking support, and sharing our fears, as they can lead to enriched understanding and better outcomes for our feathered friends.

Looking ahead, one can’t help but wonder: will this mail carrier-turned-turkey caretaker decide to keep these new additions, or will they choose the sanctuary route? Whatever the outcome, this saga will undoubtedly inspire others to engage more deeply with their own poultry adventures, fostering a community that thrives on shared experiences, laughter, and the occasional cluck-tastic surprise. The journey of these baby turkeys is far from over, and we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in their story!

Mail Carrier with Baby Turkeys!! (almost) FINAL UPDATE!!
Mail Carrier with Baby Turkeys!! (almost) FINAL UPDATE!!

Hello again!

To start, I cannot express how overwhelmed and impressed I am with the knowledge and support I have received from this community. You're all amazing. Thank you so much!

If you want a link to the original post and story you can find it here

All six babies are still doing great! I have read through all of your comments and suggestions and have reached out to several places. I called the Hatchery first and they confirmed for me that they cannot take them back and the buyers forfeit their right to keep them if they are not picked up the day they arrive at the PO. They Turkeys are now officially mine to do with what I feel is best.

From there I called the SPCA. I am determined that these birds do not end up anywhere they will be turned into food. The SPCA told me they could not accept them, but gave me contact info for several sanctuaries in my area that they support and work with. With that I was able to find a lovely place with a great reputation who will excitedly accept them, should we decide to let them go.

Currently we are strongly weighing the possibility of keeping them, but I have some serious concerns. The first being our large breed dogs (English Bulldog and Bullmastif) are prey oriented and I fear they will kill these poor babies if they are given the chance. We do have coups built in our backyard and could modify some things to accommodate the Turkeys, but our Bullmastif is very strong and has broken down fence panels in the past. My other concern is that my wife and I, just last month, launched an Online Homemade Cookie shop and are selling our cookies to small markets around town and to whoever buys them online. My nightmare fear is of a freak salmonella contamination getting into the cookies and ruining our business before it's even really started.

I would love to know what you all think about these things. Should we attempt to keep the Turkeys? Can we train our dogs to not murder them? Are my concerns for a salmonella outbreak valid? If it is valid, how do I ensure I minimize the risk, beyond obsessive hand washing?

Again, thank you all so much for everything. Once we make our final decision on custody I will update this thread with the outcome, but that could be several days. Have a great day everyone!!

Gobble, Gobble Y'all!!!!

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#fear of chickens#baby turkeys#Hatchery#salmonella#SPCA#sanctuaries#food safety#large breed dogs#cookies#backyard#risk management#English Bulldog#Bullmastif#community support#homemade cookies#prey oriented#custody#business concerns#final decision#fence panels