Free range is a method of breeding animals that are allowed to roam freely instead of being contained in any type of manner. Farmers who breed free-range turkeys gain a humane certification for their farming of the turkeys. Farmers believe that they can reduce feed costs as well as improve the happiness and liveliness of their animals. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the term “free-range” just means that birds have access to the outdoors.
There are many places that you can order a free-range turkey online. They are usually more expensive than your average turkey. Here are some places you can order free-range turkeys online and how you order with each one.
Best Free-Range Turkeys to Order Online: Lobels’s of New York
You can order free-range turkeys online with Lobel’s of New York. Lobel’s of New York’s free-range turkeys are USA inspected and certified organically grown by the Northeast Organic Farmers Association and Pennsylvania Certified Organic. It is very important to know with them that you must select a delivery date for your free-range turkey for your Thanksgiving on the following days that are Friday, November 20th, Saturday, November 21st, and Tuesday, November 24th 2009. There are no deliveries on Sundays or Mondays. The prices at Lobel’s Butcher Shop for free-range turkeys range from the smallest of one 10-12 pound fresh organic turkey with 8-10 servings and no leftovers costing $74.98 and the largest free-range turkey being one 22-24 pound fresh organic turkey with 18-19 servings that has no leftovers costing $149.98. When you order free range-turkeys online at Lobel’s Butcher Shop, you will receive a complimentary Lobel’s pinstripe cooler bag that will hold a 12 pack of your favorite beverage. You can order your turkey anytime up until 11 a.m. (ET) on November 23, 2009 or while supplies last which they do run out during the holidays. To order your turkey, go to the Lobel’s Butcher shop website here. This is the spot to order your free-range turkey. If you want to order your free-range turkey other than for Thanksgiving, you can go on the Lobel’s of New York website here.
Best Free-Range Turkeys to Order Online: Williams-Sonoma – Willie Bird Free-Range Turkey
William Sonoma sells Willie Bird Ranch free-range turkeys. The Willie Bird Ranch has been raising poultry for over thirty years and only feeds their turkeys natural grains and proteins. You can order a Willie Bird free-range turkey on the Williams-Sonoma website. It is important that you place your order by November 20th at noon pacific standard time. Your free-range Thanksgiving turkey will arrive the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving. The prices for a Willie Bird free-range turkey range from $79.95 for a 14 – 16 pound free-range turkey up to $145.95 for a 24 – 26 pound free-range turkey. The delivery and processing surcharge is $15.00 for your free-range turkey to be delivered to your door. You can check out some photos of the Willie Bird Ranch here.
Best Free-Range Turkeys to Order Online: Mary’s Free-Range Turkey at Pitman Farms
Mary’s free-range turkeys from Pitman Farms are available to order online. Mary’s free-range turkeys are allowed to roam free in areas on Pitman Farms that are four times the size of your average commercial turkey ranch. The turkeys are fed healthy grains and have a high protein diet. There are no preservatives, antibiotics, and they are free of gluten and have no added hormones. The costs of Mary’s free-range heritage turkeys are $75.00 for a 7 – 8.9 pound turkey and up to $91 for an 8 – 11 pound turkey. When you order a free-range turkey from Mary’s, you must select 2nd day or next day air during the checkout. You must allow five days processing time from the date your order is placed online. The Pitman Family has raised turkeys since 1954. You can watch an “On The Farm Video” to see the farm.
Best Free-Range Turkeys to Order Online: Amazon.com – Branigan’s Free-Range Turkey
You can find Branigan’s free-range turkeys on Amazon.com. The price ranges from a $103.95 for a 14-16 pound free-range turkey to $181.95 for a 24-28 pound free-range turkey. It is important that you select expedited shipping when you order because this item is perishable. Branigan’s Turkey Farms is a family owned operation that was established in 1942. They are located in Woodland, California. They raise 18,000 – 20,000 turkeys per year. The Branigan’s Turkey Farm is special because they raise their turkeys longer than most turkeys on other farms. By raising the turkeys longer, they develop a thin film of fat under the skin that will makes the turkey self-basting, so you don’t have to add any butter or oil. You can read about the history and the story of Branigan’s Turkey Farm here.
Best Free-Range Turkeys to Order Online: Tropical Traditions Free-Range Organic Pastured Turkeys
Tropical Traditions free-range turkeys are raised on grass, sunshine, and insects from the pasture as well as Cocofeed. Cocofeed contains no soy. Cocofeed is an organic turkey feed ration that was developed by Tropical Traditions. It consists of coconut pulp along with other natural ingredients. The frozen free-range organic turkey is shipped with dry ice. The cost for a 12-pound turkey is $75.00 and the costs of two 12-pound turkeys are $140.00. The shipping will vary for each state. You can use their shipping cost estimator online to find out how much the shipping will be after you add the item to your cart. The states of Nevada and Wisconsin will have to add applicable sales tax. Sources and Resources:
http://www.lobels.com/store/main/item.asp?item=111
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/fd055/index.cfm
http://www.williebird.com/photos.htm
http://www.marysturkeys.com/turkeyfreerange.html
http://www.marysturkeys.com/mov_farmvideo.htm
http://www.braniganturkey.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Branigans-Free-Range-Turkey-pound/dp/B0006OMBA2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=gourmet-food&qid=1254775507&sr=8-2
http://www.grassfedtraditions.com/pastured_turkey.htm
