Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the goodness in our lives. We show our gratitude for family, friends, health, home… Oddly, the most popular way to celebrate this holiday is by taking these basic rights from nearly 50 million turkeys every year—and that is just for the holidays.
Like humans, turkeys have close-knit families. They are affectionate, form lifelong bonds, are very loyal and even share communal meals. Mother turkeys very nurturing and fiercely protective of their young. They each have distinct voices and can recognize the voices of their family and friends.
The turkey residents at Barn Sanctuary show love and affection for the staff, volunteers and even visitors. They seek out attention, chat, chirp and gobble at the people around them, and enjoy being petted.
The turkeys at Barn Sanctuary are safe from industry harm and can live out their full lives, which can be up to 7 years or more, in peace. Turkeys raised for meat are slaughtered at only five to seven months old. Raised in filthy, crowded, windowless warehouses, their short lives are stressful and traumatic. They lack the opportunity to dustbath, roost in trees or enjoy any other basic natural comfort. Waste in these tight spaces creates an ammonia build up which causes disease and respiratory issues.
Turkeys in factory farms are genetically modified and selectively bred to grow rapidly which includes many health risks including trauma to their internal organs, damage to their joints and limbs and broken legs because their bodies aren’t designed to carry so much weight. The majority of turkeys raised for food are artificially inseminated because they are bred to gain so much of their weight in their breasts that natural mating is impossible. This practice is traumatic and harmful to both the male and female turkeys.
During the short lives of turkeys raised for meat, turkeys will also have their beaks and the tips of their toes sliced off to reduce injury because of living in such cramped quarters. Males will also often have their snoods cut off as well. These procedures are very painful and degrading. The trip from farm to slaughterhouse is long and difficult. The turkeys are transported in small cages with no food or protection from the elements.
This holiday season we encourage you to try new cruelty-free Thanksgiving traditions. There are plenty of other ways to celebrate Thanksgiving without contributing to an industry that causes harm and pain to these curious, sociable and loving animals. You don’t even have to give up most of your favorite traditional holiday foods! Here are a few holiday suggestions to reduce your impact for animals.
Skip the turkey.
Turkeys are sentient beings who deserve a life free of pain and fear. Trader Joe’s sells a delicious Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast with gravy and Tofurky, Gardein and Field Roast also make great vegan alternatives to turkey. These holiday roasts and turkey alternatives are sold at almost every local grocery stores. Go explore a few different options this year and find the one that you like the most.
Image from Field Roast
Don’t skip the pie.
You can still eat pumpkin pie (yet another thing to be thankful for). Try this recipe for vegan pumpkin pie. You can swap a few ingredients in almost any pie to make it cruelty-free. Coconut cream, soy or almond milk and earth balance butter are easy and common replacements for cream, milk and butter.
Photo by Minimalist Baker
Sides, sides, sides
No meal is complete without side dishes. Pile some of these yummy recipes on your plate and enjoy with friends and family.
- Vegan Mashed Potatoes
- Vegan Green Bean Casserole
- Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
- Vegan Mac and Cheese
- Vegan Stuffing
- Vegan Biscuits (enjoy with your favorite vegan butter)
Photo by Minimalist Baker
Help us save lives
Put a twist on old traditions by choosing kinder options. Try sponsoring a turkey at Barn Sanctuary to support the continued care of our rescued residents. Another easy way to help support the turkeys this holiday? Help us spread the word about the incredible lives of turkeys by sending a beautiful holiday card featuring one of our resident turkeys. With a one-time Thanksgiving donation below, you can send family or friends a special e-card explaining why you are choosing a turkey-free holiday this Thanksgiving. Your turkey friends will be so thankful you did.