Turkeys Are So Much More Than A Thanksgiving Meal

Twenty years ago, we rescued our very first female turkey, Spring. She was initially scared but soon learned to trust me and casually follow me around the barnyard. One morning she followed me for longer than usual and was extra talkative. Worried there was something wrong, I set down my rake, sat on the ground in front of her, and asked if she needed anything. Spring crawled into my lap, closed her eyes, and fell asleep! We cuddled like that for a long while, with my arms stretched around her, kissing her, with tears rolling down my face. Her affection blew me away. I had no idea that turkeys liked to cuddle. However, I was moved to tears by her ability to forgive. After all she had seen and been through, she forgave humans and opened her heart to love me. I knew I would love turkeys no matter how they showed up, but that was the day I truly saw who they were, and we have been cuddling turkeys ever since!
Please come meet the turkeys at The Gentle Barn. Each with their own unique personality, they have so much to teach us. Our cuddle turkey Sun is seven years old and loves to meet new people. You are sure to fall in love and gain a deeper understanding of the magic of these great birds.
The Gentle Barn is a national non-profit organization in Santa Clarita, California, with locations in St. Louis, Missouri, and Nashville, Tennessee as well. We are home to animals rescued from trauma and host to people with the same stories. We are open to the public on Sundays and host private tours, field trips, birthday parties, and cow hug therapy sessions. For more, follow The Gentle Barn on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, and YouTube. To visit and donate, go to www.gentlebarn.org.