PLANT CITY, Fla. — The holidays are right around the corner and while most local farmers are rushing to keep up with the demand. One Plant City turkey farmer has a different approach.

“I have hundreds of birds, probably a little over 20 different breeds,” said farmer John Jones.  “Jackie says I have a soft heart but it’s more. I have contact and interaction with them. You form a relationship.”

John Jones says he’s been raising birds on his property for a little over a year.

“Some of these bird breeds are from way back when – ancient times,” said Jones. “What I really want to do is preserve these birds that are becoming endangered.”

American livestock breeders list several turkeys, geese and chicken that are now on the endangered list.

“We’re talking about a food source,” said Jones. “It’s bad enough we have wild species or animals [going extinct] but when we start having species that we raise for food like livestock — rabbits, goats and sheep becoming endangered — we’re talking about a food source.”

Jones doesn’t sell his birds for food bit he does sell and give eggs away to people in the community.

“We have turkey eggs, different types of chicken eggs and duck eggs,” said Jones. “My girlfriend says she really likes to bake with the duck eggs; the turkey eggs are rare. They don’t lay too often.”

Turkeys can lay anywhere from 30-45 eggs a day, according to Jones. So, these eggs are seen as more of a delicacy.

“I guess I don’t see it that way because we have turkeys here but they are rare eggs. We really like the taste of them,” said Jones.

Jones told me that raising the birds helps keep him busy and gives him purpose.

“They have different personalities; some are grumpy of will let you come up and pet them,” said Jones. “It just doesn’t feel right to kill them and eat them but I know we have to do that for food. I’m just happy taking care of them.”