Though Americans think about turkey on Thanksgiving more than any other day of the year, every day is Turkey Day for Crescent Foods’ family farm partner. Founded in 1948, three family generations have since made caring for turkeys and sustainable farming practices central to their lives and livelihoods. With parents, children, and extended family members intimately involved in every aspect of the family farm operation, roots and purpose run deep. It’s not just about bringing lean, healthy turkey products to Crescent Foods’ hand-cut Halal customers and consumers. It’s a passion and way of life. The family’s legacy speaks wonders to the decisions they make, both daily and for the future of their farm.
Life on the Farm
Proper animal care matters, and Crescent Foods’ farm partner recognizes it’s a 24-hour job. The family cares about its turkeys and understands that the way birds are cared for directly impacts the quality of turkey products for consumers. In their own words, “We don’t make shoes. We work weekends and holidays—animal care never stops. For example, if there’s a storm at four o’clock in the morning, we’re right there, checking on the turkeys. It’s the right thing to do.”
On a typical day, turkeys are checked-in on every few hours, which is critical to quick identification of any potential issues with a barn or turkey flock. A focus on keeping bedding fresh, using materials that help cushion and protect turkeys’ feet, providing continuous access to fresh water and nutritious feed, and a comfortable, calm environment are all important. Open-sided turkey barns provide plenty of fresh air while turkeys wander freely inside enclosed environments, protecting flocks from predators and wild birds that often carry a variety of potentially serious diseases.
Just one look at the clean, beautiful, uniform feathering of the birds demonstrates health and wellbeing. The family believes that a quality environment and feed are significant when it comes to raising a happy turkey. And that a happy turkey means a perfect turkey for consumers.
Vegetarian Diet and No Antibiotics Ever for Crescent Foods’ Turkey Products
Turkeys raised for Crescent Foods’ hand-cut Halal turkey products are fed a vegetable- and grain-based diet (meaning no animal byproducts!) and have never, ever been given antibiotics at any point during their lifetimes.
Overall, the farm partner avoids antibiotic use for its turkeys, whenever possible. If, however, a sick flock must be treated with antibiotics to maintain a high standard of animal welfare, it will follow proper withdrawal periods for all medicines, required by federal law. The flock will then be removed from Crescent Foods’ distribution, and products from those flocks will find another home through conventional distribution channels. The flocks are never, ever used for Crescent Foods’ Halal turkey products.