The Great

Urban Turkey

Adventure

Recently, there was quite a stir at Green Acres Middle School, A.H. Parker High School and Bush Hill STEAM Academy in Birmingham. Students reported that there was a live, white turkey hen rolling down the halls! Never before had these students seen anything like this, but the story behind this urban turkey adventure is one that they will never forget!

As the 4-H Foundation Regional Extension Agent for Jefferson County, Izette R. McNealy knew that her urban students rarely got to see, much less touch, farm animals. So, when Dr. Brigid McCrea asked if any of her teachers might like a visit from a live, farm turkey, McNealy was thrilled. She checked with a few teachers and got permission from administrators for the visit. Thus began the great urban turkey adventure!

Da’Mia Duncan, Yasmine Gardner and Nathan Clark had seen a turkey before on television, but this was the first time they had ever gotten to actually touch one.

Dr. McCrea lives in Lee County and serves as a 4-H Extension Specialist there. She is also a poultry specialist, who raises a flock of 56 white turkeys. McCrea brought one of her young hens to six different classrooms in three separate schools in Birmingham. Although the turkey was only three months old and had never ridden in a car before this journey, she was docile and seemed quite pleased to let students pet her. Most of the students had seen pictures of turkeys before, but they had never touched a live one.

Petting the young bird was quite a treat for both the students and their teachers, but learning about the poultry industry caught their attention. The students were even more interested hearing about college scholarships and workforce development within the poultry industry.

McCrea told the students about the history of turkey domestication and how the turkey industry started. She also discussed the Alabama broiler industry, the various 4-H poultry events that prepare members for poultry and Ag majors in college, and the different careers available in poultry science.

“Our students do not see livestock here,” McNealy stated, the 4-H Foundation Extension Agent. “So, when Dr. McCrea brought a live turkey and told them about the poultry industry, they were very interested. They did not know about the internships and scholarships available in poultry science at Auburn. In addition, students learned the importance of Alabama’s meat industry in the state!”

Dr. McCrea explains some of the turkey’s traits and habits as Zaniah Wright gets an up-close experience with the animal.

Not only did the kids get to pet the turkey, but they also got to see her eat and drink. McCrea explained how stress could affect the taste of a turkey, so the goal was to help the turkey relax. A turkey is relaxed if it keeps its head down, so students kept a close eye on their visitor. The students talked about turkey and chicken eggs, as well as the differences in meat chickens and meat turkeys. Students also learned how to grade eggs.

“Most of these students were not comfortable being around farm animals,” McNealy added. “It was awesome to see them spread their wings and touch the turkey. They were really engrossed in this activity.”

The students became so friendly with their visitor that many of the upper classmen declared they would never eat turkey again, not even at Thanksgiving!

Even teachers, like Mrs. Brown pictured here, enjoyed the experience of seeing and touching a live turkey.

“This was brand new to these Jefferson County 4-H’ers,” McNealy explained. “Most of the students have never seen a farm animal, personal and close up. It was amazing for all of us!”

Even the teachers got involved, petting the turkey and encouraging the students to join in. The students asked many questions, especially the high school students who were very inquisitive about the different career opportunities available in the poultry industry. Most were hesitant about the jobs related to harvesting these birds, but they learned quickly that there were many other opportunities in this industry.

Both Dr. Brigid McCrea and Izette R. McNealy have recognized the need for more “show and tell” hands-on experiences for these urban students. McNealy hopes to teach the importance of agriculture and introduce the many careers in this field by partnering with area farmers who will bring other farm animals into the schools.

“This is just the beginning of this program,” McNealy declared. “Our goal is to get these students college-ready, so they can know what they want to do. If they are interested in the poultry industry and they want to know more, we want to make sure they get it.”

Teacher, Ms. Clark, enjoyed the up-close encounter with a live turkey.