Relaxed Farming - our farm in your classroom

Turkeys' wings now trimmed: this is a painless procedure (exactly the same as cutting your hair or nails) and it is done to prevent birds being able to fly out of their paddocks/enclosures and so get to places we don't want them to (such as on top of our polytunnel - sharp toenails and polythene do NOT mix well and yes we do speak from experience). It is also about protecting the birds as if they stray too far they are more vulnerable to predators such as foxes or even dogs. We love our animals to free range where ever they want BUT turkeys are incredibly inquisitive and not very bright in equal measures and they can get themselves into unfamiliar places with all sorts of bad consequences. So how does it work? You simply cut the primary feathers on just ONE wing: the bird can still walk, run, flap, perch even, but if it tries to fly too high it finds itself a little unbalanced. And if the turkeys make it beyond Christmas (as some of these will), the feathers will grow back.