We have been worried about this day for months...letting the turkeys out!  We have been raising Bourbon Red and Narraganset turkeys from day olds for the past 3 months.  First they started in the brood house where we could keep them very dry and warm under a heat lamp.  As they feathered out and got stronger we moved them to a mobile trailer which has mesh sides and bottom so they could get used to the elements, yet still be protected.  Turkeys can be very vulnerable until they are a few months old, so we have not let them out of the trailer to free-range yet.  We have read that turkeys really like to roam and roost up high, so we have been worried that when we open the door, they might just take off!  Well not really, we thought they'd come back to their "home" but we weren't sure if they would actually go back into the trailer where we could close the door after dark to keep them protected from predators.

The day finally came.  What had to just open the door and see what happens.  At first they were a little bit reluctant to go outside.  What a strange new world!  But soon enough they ventured out and spent the day roaming around on the grass.  They stayed relatively close the trailer so this was good.  They really seemed to enjoy eating the grass and hunting for bugs.  They are incredibly stealthy!  Every now and then one turkey would let out a call and the others would get spooked and run under the trailer for safety.  I think this is a good thing.  Their instincts are strong. 

As dusk came we kept peaking out at them to see what they would do fearing a long night of turkey catching ahead of us but sure enough...they all went back into the trailer like perfect little angels!  We are so proud of them!  We closed the door behind and they spent the night safe and sound.  Each day that passes they get a little bit braver.  Now they are venturing a bit further away from the trailer, but they travel together in one big flock so their is protection in numbers.  Luckily they are all going home each night.  Seeing these large birds ranging out in the pasture might be the most beautiful thing I have seen on the farm.  They look so happy and content.  We love just sitting amongst them in the grass listening to their sounds and watching them hunt.  Hope you enjoy this video!