Read Sun's Story ^{(In Memoriam)}

Sun was the oldest living turkey in the history of The Gentle Barn! Because turkeys are genetically engineered to grow very big very fast so they can be slaughtered as babies at only twelve weeks old, they develop respiratory and physical issues that shorten their life spans by the time they are fully grown at two. Before Sun, we had never had a turkey live past four. When Sun turned four, we wanted more time with her and started giving her acupuncture. Sun had acupuncture each month for the next five years and lived just three months shy of her ninth birthday!

Sun had an extraordinary life at The Gentle Barn! For almost nine years she was our queen cuddle turkey, bringing people to tears, turning guests vegan, and opening people's hearts around the world to the intelligence, affection, and magic of turkeys. Sun had an amazing relationship with our goat, Gus, where they would spend hours together every single day, standing quietly together, wrapping their necks around each other, and sharing a silent language only understood by them.

When Gus passed away of old age, we brought Sun and our oldest chicken, Tulip, into our office to have a softer, easier, temperature-controlled environment. Sun adopted Tulip as her baby and not only groomed and talked to her, but allowed Tulip to nestle underneath her downy feathers like a mom bird would do with her own baby. When Tulip passed away of old age, we had staff and volunteers keep Sun company every day singing to her, reading out loud to her, and giving her her favorite treats. Sun listened to meditation music every day, laid on a fluffy dog bed next to our desks, and enjoyed sunny afternoons outside in the garden with the birds, bunnies, and squirrels.

Before we walked Sun home, we threw her one last birthday party. Our staff and dedicated volunteers got together to celebrate her extraordinary life and gave her all of her favorite things: apple pie, birthday cake, grapes, watermelon, corn, and an acai bowl. She ate enthusiastically as her closest friends gathered around her, remembering stories about her, and giving thanks for all of her love, healing, and the remarkable life she lived.

Sun will forever be remembered as our queen, and those of us who met and knew her will always be the lucky ones to have been touched by the Sun!