CLEMSON — What exactly are tiger turkeys?

No, they aren’t a bi-product of misadventures in a Clemson lab.

These turkeys raised by the Clemson Poultry Science Club have been growing in popularity since 2001, when the club began raising free-range turkeys for the holiday season.

As part of the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, the Clemson University Poultry Science Club is growing, processing and marketing drug-free, free range, fresh dressed turkeys for Thanksgiving.

Prestage Farms of Camden donated a total of 150 hen turkeys, while the packaging has been donated by Sealed Air/Cryovac Corporation of Duncan, rounding out a true South Carolina-grown initiative.

The turkeys are raised on feed, free of hormones and sub-theraputic antibiotics, helping to acquire the freshest taste and healthiest choice.

The turkeys cost $50 and range in size from 18-30 pounds.

The money raised from the fundraiser not pays for students to attend the International Poultry & Egg Exposition in Atlanta where they have an opportunity to interview for jobs in the poultry industry, but it will also sponsor a family at Christmas, helping to make this year a little brighter.

Peter Laurence was happy he found out about Clemson’s fundraiser.

“Last Thanksgiving my family and friends enjoyed what we all agreed was the best turkey they ever had,” Laurence said. “This year we’re hoping to repeat that success with the second annual turkey we’ll purchase from Clemson.”

Students will process the turkey hens on Saturday, Nov. 21 and then bag them on Sunday Nov. 22. The birds will be ready for sale on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the lobby of Newman Hall.

“We sell out every year and have a waiting list,” said Mickey Hall, representative from Clemson.

Because of popular demand, the birds must be pre-ordered in advance by Nov. 1.

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