Turkey Farm Attracts Hundreds Of Customers Seeking The Perfect Bird

HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) - If turkey is the traditional Thanksgiving meal, a Maryland farm has become a traditional destination to find the perfect bird.

Alex Demetrick reports for WJZ.

The line forms early and stays long for most of the day at Maple Lawn Farms in the Fulton area of Howard County.

"I did it on a Tuesday thinking everybody's be at work, but surprise!" said one customer in the long line.

And everyone is here for the same reason.

"Great turkey, can't beat the flavor," said one couple.

Chris Pohrer, manager of Maple Lawn Farms, had a few words regarding his business.

"People know they can come here and get a quality, fresh, wholesome turkey that's produced by our family," he said.

This is the 77th year Maple Lawn Farms has sold fresh turkeys directly to the public.

They're hoping to sell around 20,000 turkeys this year, which range between 10 and 40 pounds a piece.

The farm raises the turkeys from day one, and they all come in different shapes and sizes.

"Two turkeys, one 30 pounder and one 24 pounder," on customer said.

Some customers bring their roasting pans.

"I'm dealing with a small oven," one customer said. "I have to make sure the turkey will fit in this pan and not be too tall."

And some customers come from different states.

"We've been coming almost 10 years," said one customer from Virginia.

For most of the customers, it wasn't the first time they've stood in a long line to wait for a turkey.

One customer said she's been coming for 20 years, and her sister's family -- 40 years.

Maple Lawn Farms will continue selling turkeys Wednesday, and if you run out on Thanksgiving, they'll also be open on Friday.