My Life as a Turkey awarded Emmy for Outstanding Nature Programming! Watch the full film:
After a local farmer left a bowl of eggs on Joe Hutto’s front porch, his life was forever changed. Hutto, possessing a broad background in the natural sciences and an interest in imprinting young animals, incubated the eggs and waited for them to hatch. As the chicks emerged from their shells, they locked eyes with an unusual but dedicated mother. One man’s remarkable experience of raising a group of wild turkey hatchlings to adulthood. Buy the DVD. This film premiered on November 16, 2011. (Video limited to U.S. & Territories.)
198 Responses to “Full Episode”
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One of the best Nature programs I’ve ever seen. Besides the amazing story, I found the photography (cinematography) to be outstanding; there were numerous shots that I would love to have framed and on my walls.
I disagree with “A Scientist:” the turkeys WERE hatched knowing what to eat and which animals are safe (or a threat) to them. Didn’t you watch the film? Joe didn’t point to grasshoppers and tell the turkeys they were safe to eat; the turkeys knew it and gobbled them up. Sure, a few of the turkeys were killed by predators but it was not because the turkeys didn’t realize a danger. It’s pretty hard to “avoid” a rat snake when it crawls into your cage while you’re asleep and eats you.
“A Scientist” is so profoundly wrong that it only serves to highlight why our world is in such a mess right now – it’s due to the narrow “scientific method” that is utilized by so many narrow-minded “scientists” that the world is in such danger of being destroyed by ourselves. Clearly he has spent little time in Nature and knows next to nothing about it. I say this as one who spends TONS of time in Nature and know that it communicates, it has a collective and individual aliveness and conciousness of which only a small percentage of humanity is aware or can hear or communicate back. Methinks the “Scientist” is afraid of a world he cannot explain, does not understand, and is beyond his realm of knowledge and connection. “Scientists” used to think the world was flat, too! And that the sun revolved around the earth, and that there was nothing faster than the speed of light….and on and on.
This show was awsome. I saw it on tv on wedsday.
Hey “Jim Jones” and “A scientist” and others like you. Get over yourselves already… it’s a damn turkey for Pete’s sake! Not everything has to be “scientific”. Jealous much?
Hi,
Please could you tell me of this will be airing in the UK again or whether it will be available as a Region 2 DVD? We loved the programme and would love to watch it again. Many thanks.
When I try to play the video of “My Life as a Turkey” it says it’s not available – is there a glitch or is it due to not living in the US? I would so love to watch it as I’ve seen a few clips and my parents watched it and thought it was brilliant.
I’ve been volunteering at an animal sanctuary recently. The turkeys are some of the most interesting animals I’ve encountered. I have a new favorite animal!
I live in Canada, and you will happy to hear that this video was shown on the French TV with translations. It is an exceptional and very realistic video. I truly enjoyed watching it, even though some parts were very sad. I will never look at a turkey the same way, and I have not eaten turkey since.
Congratulations to Joe Hutto for his big heart and admirable understanding of nature.
“A scientist” – ok, so how do you know that? It’s so typical scientists shrugging off the idea that animals have emotions just like humans do.
My students and I watched the movie. We enjoyed it a lot, but have one question: Was the turkey that got killed by the rat snake actually killed? And, if so, what are the ethics of killing an animal for entertainment. Wondering if Mr. Hutto or one of the producer’s could answer our concern. Thanks.
My science teacher mrs jones let us watch this in class it was so kool I loved it so much. It is really amzing what he did for those turkeys. I hope that everyon else loved this video as much as I did :-)
I enjoyed this program immensely. The sensitivity and patience necessary to observe nature is a rare talent. I felt happy the whole next day knowig there are other worlds and other gentle realities right here under our noses, and it just takes the willingness to discover.
Oh my how I laughed! and was a bit teary eyed too.. poor Sweetpea! there are now 16 wild turkeys tromping through my property daily, I’m getting so much entertainment from them and trying to “speak turkey: thank you Joe Hutto! it seems as if the young males have suddenly been thrown out of the main group, although before the exodus there were at least five males and eleven lovely ladies. Those older fellows with the long hanging dangling do-dahs from their faces must be very proud and happy. I hope to see many clutches sucessfully emerge later this spring. More turkeys !!!
By observing nature we should come to know who we are to be; that being a son or daughter of the living God who made all things to be loved and appreciated by us. They are to have their ultimate joy by being loved by a person who truly understands the incredible gift from God they represent. Make no mistake about it though, since the beginning of such a tragic human history, we should have been the lords all creation and must still rise to that level. Nature is our text book; we have our own destiny to be humbled masters in true love over all things. A human being is not only of the physical realm but exists in the spritual realm as God does – our loving parent. Great job with this story and many thanks to our loving creator who knows so deeply how to love us through the turkeys but will teach us through the same of our proper role and position. Looking through these videos, it becomes impossible to think that nature has come about by chance or through a course of random events.
Thank you Joe ….. I am a vegan because all life maters and all life is important …. A blessing …. You are my hero for living a life of love that I have and can only dream of
Thank you for your compation friendship and love of all life ….. I hope one day to meet you.
Forever ,
Diane Cortright Mueller , Mt Airy Maryland
One of my favorite PBS specials ever. As one who has hunted these wonderful animlas (notice hunt not kill), I’m even more impressed and humbled.
This was a very good piece. I enjoyed watching the re-creation of one man’s unique, personal, emotionally-heavy relationships with a group of turkeys. It is always interesting to see inter-species relationships develop into something inexplicably moving, touching, heartfelt and deep. This makes me appreciate the natural surroundings and other species with which we share this planet even more. Nicely done, Nature.
Dear Robert, I love your message and saved it. so beautifully said!!!! You are obviously a very nature connected spiritual person. Thank you for making my day. Sylvia