7,000 Baby Turkeys Die in Mass. Fire

A barn fire in Lancaster Thursday struck a devastating blow, taking the lives of 7,000 baby turkeys and the livelihood of family farmers.

Bob's Turkey Farm, family owned and operated, and established in 1954, posted on Facebook late Thursday:

"... the loss is felt in many ways. We spend day in and day out feeding, watering, nurturing and growing these animals and to say we are jolted by the loss of so many lives is not enough. Our heart, soul and 3 generations are in this farm and how we are currently feeling is not able to be conveyed through texts."

Jennifer Miner, owner Susan Miner's daughter, told The Boston Globe, “it’s a personal loss and a business loss.”

“Those were all of our Thanksgiving turkeys,” she told the paper.

Fire investigators were reported on-scene last night, but have not yet determined the cause of the blaze.

Upon news of the fire and the birds' deaths, the farm owners are facing a backlash from online critics.

"The 7,000 birds that were killed were poults. Ranging from a day to a 3 weeks old," Bob's Turkeys wrote in a clarifying post Friday morning. "They are not full grown birds and require heat, body warmth and companionship to thrive. Our birds live outdoors weather permitted (which anyone in the neighborhood can attest to) but small birds such as the ones we lost have specific needs!"

The farm also offered up images of the birds to demonstrate their living conditions, a rebuttal to "negative comments and cruelty" online:

Photo courtesy of Kristie Gianopulos via Flickr