Organic Free Range Turkeys
How to Choose a Truly Pasture-raised Turkey for the Holiday Table
Nov 15, 2009
Organic free range turkeys are becoming more popular at the Thanksgiving table as Americans begin to look for healthier alternatives to the mass-produced, factory raised turkeys sold in most grocery stores. But even the term "free range" can be misleading. Most people assume that these animals have been raised naturally, living their lives in open pastures and sunny fields, but this is not always the case.
Industrial Farms vs. Free Range Birds
Turkeys raised in factory farms live their entire lives confined in cages, eating a diet of grain and multiple supplements. Industrially raised turkeys are commonly fed antibiotics to prevent them from becoming sick in the filthy, overcrowded buildings they are raised in. Most of these turkeys never see the light of day, and are slaughtered around 14 weeks of age.
The Broad Breasted White, or "Large White," is the most common turkey found in grocery stores, and has been selectively bred to grow very fast and have an oversized breast. While the breed is perfect for mass-production, these birds suffer from numerous health problems. The turkeys' breasts are so large that they can no longer mate, and the females must be artificially inseminated. Large White turkeys grow so fast that their legs can snap under their own weight, and many have heart conditions. These birds are often injected with a saline solution to improve the taste and texture of the meat.
The only requirement set by the USDA for livestock producers to label their poultry "Free-Range" is that the birds have access to the outdoors. Although many people imagine these turkeys roaming open fields, their living conditions often mimic factory farms. Instead of cages, many of these birds are raised in their own filth in overcrowded corrals or "grow-out sheds."
Shop Locally for Free Range Turkeys
Truly free-range, pasture raised turkeys are being produced in growing numbers by small family farms across the United States. Although there are no USDA regulations governing how much open space a pasture-raised turkey must have, many of these local farms give the birds room to carry our their natural behaviors. These turkeys have a much more varied diet that includes insects and other types of forage that they would find in the wild.
The Local Harvest website is a great resource for anyone looking for pastured, free range turkeys. Consumers can access a list of small, local farmers in their area that are dedicated to the health and welfare of the animals they raise. And by shopping locally, consumers also benefit their community economically and contribute to creating a food secure community.
Heritage Turkeys and Sustainability
Heritage turkeys are also becoming a popular choice at the holiday table. These are the original breeds of turkey that were available to Americans for generations until they were driven to the brink of extinction. Family farms have been producing heritage breeds such as the Narragansett, Bourbon Red, and Standard Bronze turkeys in growing numbers in recent years. Although these birds are naturally smaller than their grocery store counterparts, heritage turkeys are often found to be more flavorful than the Large White.
Organic heritage turkeys are usually raised using sustainable farming practices. Commonly, the turkeys freely roam the farm on which they are raised. The have a varied diet of berries, grain, and insects, and they are not given antibiotics or steroids. By purchasing turkeys from local farmers, consumers can promote sustainable farming practices and help to create a sustainable community in their area.
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