Turkey Express Adoptions

Turkey Adopters

Carol Marthaller
Romulus, New York

Three and a half years ago, my neighbor didn’t want to care for his pet turkey anymore and asked me if I wanted her. He knew I had fallen hopelessly in love with her. Fencing was immediately built around the turkey coop to keep her safe from people and animals. My first journey to Farm Sanctuary occurred shortly thereafter to adopt a companion for her. Thus began my journey with pet turkeys and Farm Sanctuary.

I now am caring for three turkeys: Misha and Jenny are four years old and Sammy is one. Most of the time my girls are like three bugs in a rug, for they are constantly together. On my way to the coop to feed them or tuck them in for the night, I whistle to them. They usually respond with their wonderful noises.

I never dreamed that I would fall in love with turkeys. And I can’t really say why I love them; I just do. The word best describing them is sweet. During certain times they will sit for me and let me scratch and pet them. Other times, I have to capture them to do that. I can’t go too long without hugging them. I can’t imagine life without my girls.

Jane Christensen and Bruce Broadwater
Skyview Refuge, Frostburg, Maryland

At Skyview, our animal sanctuary, we’ve had the pleasure of adopting six turkeys: Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Spanky, Tori, Hazel, and Lanky (our only male). All enriched our lives. They showed affection, inquisitiveness, and made wonderful companions.

Once we took a walk on the paths that cross the meadows and forests that cover this wild ridge. There were four humans, five dogs, two goats, and four turkeys-all hiking together.

Turkeys have a constant desire to keep you company. They watch all you do, while making melodic comments, it seems. They were always ready to join in, except when the wild strawberries covered the ground. The dogs watched them feasting, and we soon had 11 animals eating this springtime delicacy.

Our first two hens made a stop at a television studio and made the news. The next week we had our birds photographed and they made the Thanksgiving main feature of the local paper, along with a great article. The next year a photo of four feasting feathered friends gathered around a turkey-sized table, plus an article, made the Thanksgiving paper.

Our turkeys got along with other animals. We provided heat lamps in our barn in the winter, yet we found our chickens nestled gently under the turkeys’ wings. Alfalfa was known for her gentle nature. She loved to sit on your lap and take a nap! We’ll always give thanks for our turkey friends.