Andy the Turkey

Andy is a survivor. It's a common sight in Virginia to see big rigs hauling poultry to the slaughterhouse. Stacks on stacks of cages, crammed full of miserable and scared birds. Andy was one of these. When the truck that was hauling him and his comrades wrecked, it turned over and the guardrail sheared through all of the turkey cages. Somehow he survived the crash and then lived on the side of the interstate in a cornfield for 11 days.

Some folks noticed Andy a few days after the crash, pecking all alone in the field. When they saw he was still there a week later, they decided to snag him and take him to my buddy's pig farm. This farm is quite different than you would imagine when you think "pig farm". The pigs spend two happy years roaming at will among the rolling fields and woodlands before being humanely slaughtered, and seem to be quite content. They are protected by the watchful eyes of a couple of Great Pyrenees, and now a plucky turkey!

Andy is quite friendly, and so far has not shown any sign of aggression. He loves to chill with the dogs and keep an eye out for danger. He also likes to dress up (he doesn't complain, anyway). Recently, Andy was walking and his claw snagged his wing. He tore the end of the wing and severed the artery, tendons and joint all the way to the bone. Luckily, the vet fixed him up and he is back on the job. He is having some interesting problems with gas in his crop and they now have to burp him! A turkey burp sounds just like a human's, in case you were wondering.

Andy post-surgery.

Check out this guy in costume!