Bindi & Fifi’s Memorial
BLUE SLATE/RED BOURBON TURKEYS
From Grass Valley, California
Rescued November 2023
Bindi Crossed the Rainbow Bridge: July 8, 2024
Fifi Crossed the Rainbow Bridge: April 18, 2025
With Isabelle and Lola already gone and Julia declining... I had thought about taking in additional turkeys, but I was not sure about the timing. When we made plans to get the Guinea Fowl, I secretly hoped that there would be turkeys available. I even took an extra crate with us, just in case.
Once we secured the three Guinea Fowl, I scanned the aviary for turkeys. It was quite crowded and noisy. The birds were kept inside to make it easier to catch them.
I noticed a smaller, scruffy looking turkey and inquired why her feathers were disheveled. The breeder explained that she had, "F*d Around and Found Out". The hen had flown over the fence and into the dogs' pen, where they promptly plucked her feathers. So... of course I wanted her!
After realizing that we run an animal sanctuary, the breeder asked us to also take in a gimpy bird. Without even seeing her, I, of course, said yes.
I assumed by saying that she was gimpy that he meant she walked with a limp. But it was far worse. At one week old, the turkey's leg was broken by rats that infiltrated the aviary. She still has a left leg, but it healed into an awful and awkward position that makes it unusable. She essentially hops like a kangaroo to get around.
I named the first one "Fifi" and the gimpy one, "Bindi".
At first, they were very skittish, but also curious. Julia was amazing with them and showed them the way. They were hesitant about eating different foods. But once they saw Julia gobbling down berries... they figured out that life is pretty good here!
Bindi spent a lot of time cuddling with Julia. With Julia being immobile, Bindi felt comfortable with her new friend. It was so sweet to see them together.. even though it just 8 days.
Fifi reminds me of Lola, but sweeter. By the second day, she was eating out of my hand and coming up to me. But she's not pecking my face or hands like Lola.
Fifi and Bindi have had rough starts, but they are already flourishing under our care. And they're so sweet!!
Everyone, please welcome home Fifi and Bindi!
Oh Fifi. ❤️🌈🦃It appears Fifi died in her sleep. Our Friday morning volunteer found her lifeless body just under the roosting bar where I last saw her the night before.
What can I say... she was a fearless turkey who walked with our pack. She stole chicken eggs and hatched out 3 chicks last year. She tried in vain to hatch out turkeys but her own eggs and the other turkey eggs were no good.
She was fearless around the sanctuary dogs. And she often walked with our pack - it was dog dog dog and more dogs... and then Fifi, the turkey.
She was such a character. The way she strutted around and fluffed herself up!
It's always sad to lose a sanctuary animal, especially when we don't have them for very long. We had her only since October 2023. We had gotten her from a breeder when we were looking to add more guinea fowl to the ranch.
Fifi walked right up to me and it was like she said "pick me, pick me!". Her feathers had been heavily damaged and I inquired what happened to her. The breeder said that she had flown over the fence and into a yard with Rottweilers. Thankfully, she survived the encounter. But he feared that she would do it again and not make it.
So, of course...I had to take her home! Despite her near death experience with the other dogs, Fifi was fearless around our own sanctuary dogs. We were always escorting her back to the bird stall because she loved to explore. She somehow knew where that hidden nest of chicken eggs was and claimed them as her own.
Fifi's chicks, 2 roosters and 1 hen are all grown up and that's her legacy... lol. A funny turkey who raised 3 chickens as her own.
I know I'll see her on the other side one day. So it's not a good bye but a "I'll see you later", but in the meantime, we will watch over your kids
