NM rancher's feathers not ruffled raising turkeys for Thanksgiving demand

At Talus Wind Ranch in Galisteo, the turkeys are a work of art. Their feathers give off a lustrous sheen that appears almost metallic — a mix of white and chocolate with swaths of orange that, depending on the light, glint yellow and green. It's not so surprising, then, to learn that Talus Wind's owner is an art dealer-turned-rancher who sees similarities between his two seemingly disparate careers.Besides being pretty, the turkeys are friendly. The feathers on Willms' slew of heritage Standard Bronzes and Rio Grande Wilds were barely ruffled when visitors entered their enclosure on a recent Saturday.Eventually, the turkeys will make their way to Willms' slaughterhouse in Mountainair. This Thanksgiving, Willms expects to sell about 175 birds. Willms, the type of rancher who calls his turkeys "sweet pea" and "honey," is philosophical about the deaths. He said a friend told him to look at it this way: "They have a great life, but then they have one really bad day." The saying is also featured on the ranch's website. Lamb, Talus Wind's other primary animal product, is a much bigger seller and can be found in Santa Fe restaurants and at Whole Foods. Willms also recently started a venture involving lamb-based dog food and toys. And then there's the Mountainair slaughterhouse, which serves other small ranchers in the area...more