Our turkeys roam our pasture with the chickens and other livestock, & have access to our coops at night to stay safe from predators. This humane environment allows our animals’ all-day access to green grass, fresh air and sunshine.
They are are fed a multi-grain diet & no antibiotics or hormones are used.
Willow City Farm turkeys will be ready to pick up FRESH just days before Thanksgiving.
Hens weigh from about 8-15lbs, & jakes weigh 10lbs or more once processed. Though we strive for accuracy in size, our fresh turkeys may very in size depending on eating habits and season. Our turkeys are $5/lb and can be reserved with a $25 deposit.
2022 Thanksgiving Turkey Pickup
This year we will be using Central Illinois Poultry Processing in Arthur Illinois to do our processing. On November 21st will be will dropping them off and picking them up later that afternoon. We will have the following pick up hours available at our farm:
Pickup Hours:
Tuesday, November 22nd 4pm -7pm
Wednesday 10-2pm
If these times, don't work, no problem. Just let us know and we can arrange something else. If you aren't feeling well and need delivery or wish to have a contactless exchange, just let us know that, too!
We ask that you text us at 217-899-4562 about 15 -20 minutes before you arrive so that we can have your turkey ready for you. We do our best to get you the size you've requested, but it's not an exact science, and we have a limited amount of birds to choose from, unlike the grocery store. There's a lot of factors that cause variable sizing in our birds, and turkeys are hatched in the spring. The turkeys are still wandering around right now, and no matter how many times I ask how much they weigh, they never give me an answer!
You should receive an invoice with the final amount Tuesday morning. You're welcome to pay the invoice online or via check or cash when you pick up your order.
If for any reason you no longer need a turkey, please let us know ASAP as we anticipate a waiting list. Happy Thanksgiving!
In case you are interested, we also have a 1/2 hog available that will be ready around November 6th. We will have a limited amount of hams available for Thanksgiving as well, so be sure to let us know if you're interested in one so we can reserve it for you to be fresh and ready for pickup with your turkey. Click here to reserve a ham for Thanksgiving.
2022 Pasture Raised Fresh Turkey - (Deposit)
Pastured birds are different birds. They aren't bland like industrial turkeys so they aren't injected with oils and artificial flavorings (which makes them "juicy." Plus, being raised on pasture makes them leaner than store-bought birds that don't get exercise.
Willow City Farm raises heritage turkeys without antibiotics or hormones. (As an FYI, hormones are not permitted in any birds in the United States.)
Our birds free range their entire lives on large amounts of pasture and will actually roost in the trees at night, or in the coops with the chicken. They have more fat under their skin, and less in their meat. The fat keeps the juice in while you cook the bird, and you'll be eating a leaner, healthier bird.
This makes the turkey VASTLY different from your commercial genetically modified Broad Breasted White. To read all the differences and read the results of a blind taste test from Bon Appetit, read here.
We've gathered a bunch of great advice on how to cook your pastured turkey, from brining tips to cooking times and temps (faster and hotter). Click here for several great articles on the art of cooking pastured turkeys.