Ep 4. Turkey Farmer

Dirty Jobs season 2 episode 4 is titled "Turkey Farmer." In this episode, host Mike Rowe heads to a turkey farm in Indiana to learn the ins and outs of raising turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rowe begins by learning how to move the turkeys from one pen to another. He quickly finds out that turkeys are not the easiest animals to herd, as they are quite large and tend to be stubborn. It takes some patience and persistence, but Rowe eventually gets the turkeys where they need to go.

Next, Rowe learns about the breeding process for turkeys. He watches as the male turkeys, or toms, compete for the attention of the females, known as hens. This involves puffing up their feathers, spreading their tails, and making a lot of noise. Rowe is fascinated by the complexity of the mating rituals and the fact that the turkeys are able to breed naturally without the aid of artificial insemination.

Rowe also spends some time cleaning out the turkey pens and handling the birds. He notes that turkeys are much softer than he expected and surprisingly gentle. He also learns that turkeys can become very attached to their human handlers and will follow them around like puppies.

One of the most interesting parts of the episode is when Rowe learns about the various cuts of turkey and how they are prepared. The farmers show him how to properly butcher a turkey, which involves cutting off the head and feet and then slicing the bird into various parts. Rowe is a bit squeamish at first, but he quickly gets used to the process.

Overall, "Turkey Farmer" is a fascinating look at the world of turkey farming and the hard work that goes into raising the birds we all enjoy on Thanksgiving. Rowe is as engaging as ever, and his enthusiasm for the job shines through in every scene. Whether you're a fan of Dirty Jobs or just curious about where your Thanksgiving turkey comes from, this episode is definitely worth checking out.