Sanctuary is about love, and love has no boundaries of species.
One Summer morning we were faced with a surprise intake of a very young baby turkey who arrived here at Piebird Farm Sanctuary. The little baby needed a Mom. Umber is a chicken-friend who was brought here this Summer; she was broody, not wanting to leave her nest, and we were anxious for her to waken and join the flock. A quick decision had us sneaking in the new baby hoping Umber would adopt her. What unfolded is a glorious example of inter-species love that has no bounds. Umber was so proud to suddenly be a Momma, she perked right up and got to work mothering her baby turkey, named Merl.

Little Merl and Momma Umber explored the great big world of sanctuary together:

Umber is very proud of her turkey baby:
Together they explore sanctuary from sunrise to sunset each day:
(Pics continued below) DOWNLOAD our "Turkeys are Poets" celebratory placemat to inspire your friends around the table to fall in love with turkeys. Turkeys are great, even Umber the chicken-friend thinks so!

Umber cuddles Merl at naptime, grooms her and allows her to feel safe & loved, like any other Mother would:


Umber showed the baby how to find food, talking to Merl in her chicken-voice, and Merl would respond in her baby turkey voice. It didn't take them long to learn each other's language:
When Umber finds something good, she sings to call over baby Merl:

Umber taught Merl the basics in life as a chicken (or a turkey...), like dust-bathing:
(Pics continued below) New turkey-home fundraiser here at Piebird.

As Merl grows quickly and becomes more and more like a turkey and not just a baby, their bond remians strong, beautiful and inspiring:
With a loving home within the chicken flock, baby Merl is growing into a confident turkey:
Our hearts are capable of inter-species love too. Let Umber and Merl's story inspire you to extend your love to all species. Please choose vegan.

This story is unique but the love exuded is not isolated to only Umber and Merl--all beings feel love and want friends, they form bonds, they are curious and interested. Please extend your understanding and open your heart to see loving beings like these as friends, not food.
Visit www.veganlove.ca/turkey for more pics of the turkey friends who live here at Piebird Farm Sanctuary.
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