Hobble and Gobble

A couple months ago we decided to raise some chickens for eggs as well as a couple turkeys, presumably for Thanksgiving. We undertook this adventure with another family, the division of labor has been wonderful. We share chicken chores, and expenses.

Shortly after we welcomed the chickens into our garage (they spent a few weeks there until they had enough feathers to be outdoors) we visited The Grange for some chick food and supplies. If you have never seen a big box filled with more than 100 tiny 3 day old ducklings you cannot imagine how incredibly cute tiny waterfowl can be. Because we already had chickens it wasn't too much of a stretch for me to answer in the affirmative when the boys asked, "May we have one, please?" And still later when we learned of a family that had a couple of young goats in need of a home, we were somehow prepared to embrace our new agricultural calling.

In March of 2009 we were responsible for a grand total of zero farm animals. In fact I had lived each day of my life, until this spring, with no agricultural/farm responsibilities. Fast forward, today we have 6 ducks, 2 turkeys, 1 rooster, 17 hens, and 2 goats. This experience has been incredibly interesting. We have all gained significant practical knowledge, and had a lot of fun in the process. To be sure it is a lot of work, but it is redeeming, and it is fruitful. We believe that we now have 6 laying hens and are harvesting an average of 5 fresh, healthy, organic, truly free range eggs daily!

The turkeys turned out to be one tom (male turkey) and one hen (female turkey). I had always heard that turkeys can be mean, even spiteful birds. Ours may not be old enough for such distasteful behavior yet, because so far these two are very sweet. They actually like us, unlike the other birds who I presume merely tolerate us for the food. The hen was either born with or at a very young age sustained an injury to her toe. She does not walk well, but does not appear to be in pain, and manages to get around quite well. For this reason, she is called Hobble. The Tom therefore is Gobble.


Sadly, Gobble, is sick. We aren't sure what is wrong with him. Early last week he was being picked on by some of the hens. So we isolated him. The next day when we went to check on him he was extremely lethargic, and did not greet us with his typical display of fanned out feathers. Usually along with the fanned out feathers his red neck would turn bright blue and that red thing (it must have a name?) that hangs off his nose would grow and hang down past his chest. Now it has been 4 days and Gobble won't get up. He is eating, but he isn't getting up.