A couple more new friends you need to meet! 😍😍

We are BEYOND full but I just couldn’t turn these two girls down. Spot is the lady in my lap, and Coretta is the darling peeking over our shoulders! I was contacted by one of our kitty fosters about these ladies. Spot has a foot with severe infection/arthritis/something and the farmer had zero interest in getting her any help. My foster’s daughter had been caring for them but was moving out, and long story short, these girls weren’t going to make it long without her around. They are Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys - meaning they were bred and purchased for meat. Like our Cornish Cross chickens, they need to be on a limited diet and struggle with weight issues. They both have an upper respiratory infection for which we have started them on antibiotics, and Spot will have her foot checked out by a vet this week.

Spot is a total lover. She wants to be in your lap, her head against your chest. She is amazing. Coretta is still learning to trust. She is younger and watches Spot, following her friend’s lead most of the time. They are valuable, incredible souls and I can’t wait for them to get settled in here.

Spot. She is feisty, she LOVES blueberries, she is not a fan of cold weather. She enjoys snuggles and will occasionally DEMAND them by walking up behind you and simply leaning her body against yours. She enjoys Coretta’s company until meal time, then it’s every woman for herself. She feels safe with her head tucked under your chin. She enjoys chasing James and Tula, the guineas, and they chase her right back. One of her feet is very swollen and we are working to improve it but it still bothers her sometimes. She was bred for her flesh, but she is so much more. She is someone, not something.

Spot went to the vet for her foot today. When she first came to us, I thought it was likely just fluid build-up because I didn’t see any bumbles (infection plugs) on the bottom of her foot. But it wasn’t improving so we needed a vet visit. It’s a good thing we went because it turns out it is SEVERE bumblefoot that has moved into her bone and has probably been there so long that the plugs healed over. Left untreated, this would kill her. In the first x-ray you can see her normal foot. In the second is her infected foot. The vet made her some shoes to help relieve the pressure and we will continue soaking her feet every day and wrapping them, along with an anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic. If those don’t help she may need surgery, which is incredibly risky for birds. So keep your fingers crossed that this poor girl is able to get some relief with meds and shoes. We love you, turkey girl, and we won’t give up!

Spot and I hit up the avian specialist in Toledo today to see what the next steps are for her foot. It cost $507 🥴 but we have what I think is good news. The avian vet doesn’t believe that the infection is active any longer. Which is GREAT, because we aren’t worried about it being in the bone and possibly killing her. However, the tissue has hardened and her foot will probably remain misshapen, giving her problems for the rest of her life. The vet also believes she is in quite a bit of pain 😭 but we got some good painkillers for the time being.

Turkeys like Spot are bred to die at 6 months old, as mere babies. They are bred to put on weight as quickly as possible and then be killed. So for the lucky few who are allowed to live beyond that, their weight, and foot problems as a result, are common problems that tend to limit their quality of life.

Spot is one of the animals that I truly wish everyone could get to know. She is amazing, and sweet, and crabby when she feels like it. It is mind-blowing to me that had she not made it here, she would have been taken out back and shot. She deserves SO much good and my heart absolutely aches thinking about the literal billions of Spots who are murdered every year without a second thought.

Good news today for this girl at least. We might not be able to change the whole world but we can change Spot’s world. ❤️

Spot took an accidental bubble bath today after climbing in dish water. After this though, we filled it with water she could safely drink, and she loved hanging out in it! We are listening, Spot. We’ll get you a little pool!

Life is hard when you’ve been bred to be massively overweight and slaughtered young. And when you’re dark colored and the heat sets in, it gets so much harder. Keeping everyone cool in the summer can be a bit of work, but keeping these two cool is a whole other project. These pools make a HUGE difference in their lives though! Thank you so much to the kind souls who donated pools - Spot and Coretta sincerely appreciate them!

Spot. 💖 Broad-Breasted Bronze turkey. Bred for meat. Severely obese even on a restricted diet. Loves spending time in the woods. Lives for blueberries and grapes. Gives you no choice but to snuggle her. Will fall asleep in your lap. Hates roosters and will chase them off. Isn’t afraid to tell the world exactly what she thinks. Confident, daring, beautiful. Exactly like the billions of turkeys who are slaughtered every year to appease your taste buds. Exactly like the soul on your sandwich.

Spot. She really is the best snuggler. She will quite literally knock you down if you are crouched or sitting and it’s not with her. 😆 Turkey snuggles are truly one of the greatest things in life. 💕

Sunday afternoons are a busy time at the sanctuary. We have both employees and volunteers here, and it’s a day we try to get a lot of projects done. But sometimes the animals have other ideas. When Spot demands snuggles, you give her snuggles. Sorry everyone here right now - I’ll be in the turkey run if you need me. 🥹💕

If you’ve never snuggled a turkey before tucking them in for the night, you’re really missing out. Spot darted out of the coop as I walked up to close it. I knelt down and she leaned into me, tucking her head under mine. I love you so much, sweet girl. Dream dreams as beautiful as you. 💕

Spot worked hard at the vet today as their unofficial hall monitor. No one got through without providing snacks! Well, that’s what Spot was hoping for at least. No one provided snacks, but she made sure to poop all over them. She was being seen for an infection in her mouth, but she also lost a toenail in the parking lot and made sure to bleed all over as well. She made quite the impression today. 🤷🏻‍♀️

That’s my girl!