Fresh Start

Every year, the turkey flock goes through its cycles.  We have our triumphs and our failures.  There is no denying that the work surrounding them can become a bit of a trial at time - despite our efforts to become as efficient as our system and resources will allow.  Despite this, I find that raising these birds remind me of the joy that a fresh start can bring.

The first reminder is when we receive the call from the post office that our shipment of chicks have arrived.  There is some resignation when this happens because it means we are introducing ANOTHER flock of birds that will need daily care.  But, once the brooder area is prepared and the chicks are carefully added to their new home we can't help but walk away feeling good about the fresh start that these babies represent.  Those that don't plop down to sleep after the trail of going through the mail will turn their heads to look up at us... wondering who these strange (and very large) birds must be.

The next 'fresh start' is when the newspaper is removed from the surface of their brooder and they have fresh straw.  There is an initial bit of panic followed by a genuine excitement for this new world.  Some of them dash back and forth.  Others pick at the straw, trying to figure out what to do with it.  Others notice a small insect that gets stirred up - that will keep them busy for a while.

Each time we expand their space is yet another fresh start with new things to explore.  They are getting bigger and more agile.  Sometimes they get so excited they they remind us a little of popcorn.  At the point we think they need a lid to keep them in their division for the brooder room we start preparing the larger room for them.

The move to the big room is a monumental day.  Some years we have carried birds to the room.  This year, we actually had help to move them by 'herding' them.  It worked - for the most part.  We were afraid that we might have stressed them a bit much.  But, after a few minutes, eyes began to brighten.  A moth flew up out the fresh straw and one of the birds decided to hop after it.  Soon after, most of the birds were making happy turkey noises.  Some dashed around.  Others checked out new straw to see if it was truly different from other new straw they probably have forgotten about (after all, they are turkeys).

They might get fresh straw another time before we actually let them out on pasture - talk about a fresh start!  Every time we introduce something new, there are moments of uncertainty and concern, followed by the excitement for a fresh start that turkeys seem to bring with them on our farm.

After a while, even their limited turkey brains gather enough experience that they recognize patterns and maybe get a little less excited about some of the things that used to represent a fresh start.  Then, the day comes when the farmers take the birds to "the Park" and they go on to serve a purpose in bringing quality nutrition to people.  The day after this event the farmer usually walks around their pasture and their room, picking up feeders and other odds and ends.  He's feeling a mixture of feelings.  Of course he's relieved to have been successful in raising the birds and there is some real satisfaction in doing this well.  But, there is also a bit of melancholy.  Maybe even some concern for the future.

Then he realizes that this is another fresh start.  And his eyes start to brighten.