Free RangeTurkeys from Portville!

Free range poultry and meat have several advantages over mass produced meats. In the Olean area we are lucky to be near Sprague's Turkey farm from Portville. The OTH ran the following:

"When he started, Mr. Sprague said, 'practically everything was free-range.'

Now, he said, 'we are probably one of the very few (raising) free-range turkeys in the state.'

Only two other vendors, Park N' Shop...and Mak's Meat in Cuba, offer free-range turkeys now. Both stores run orders directly through Sprague's Turkey Farm.

Many stores are wary of investing in the higher cost of free-range turkeys

and later:

"Mr. Sprague said that in part the increased cost comes from several production factors. One is a longer growing period. "It takes us a week or two longer to achieve the same results," Mr. Sprague said. More time equals more feed. Mr. Sprague uses a feed specially designed for turkeys. The feed begins at "28 protein feed, and gradually comes down to a 14 protein feed," he said.

They will also lose some of their turkeys due to the foxes, coyotes and bobcats that prey on the turkeys."

and later

"Some free-range proponents prefer the free-roaming bird for improved quality. Francis Mahar, manager of the Front street Park N' Shop said "They just have a different taste, or moisture, without having the junk." Mr. Sprague's turkeys are raised free of any hormones, steroids, or other enhancements.

"We don't use any additives at all. We don't use anything," Mr. Sprague said."

In addition to no additives, the birds are raised in a more humane manner, since they are raised to close to home less energy is used in their transportation, and they support the local economy.

Orders for Christmas turkeys will be taken at the service desks of all of our stores.