1st time processing totally by myself (carcass photo)

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Sounds like you just got into turkeys! Congratulations, they're a lot of fun!

 

[SkyWarrior]

Good job!

Turkeys take longer, but I wouldn't have a Thanksgiving turkey any other way. But the last one was almost too big to put in my oven!

 

[goldnchocolate]

Did you scald them before plucking them?

The first time I killed a rooster I totally botched the whole thing but things got better with each one and now I'm pretty good at it. The plucking part is my least favorite part of the whole thing.

I've done this several times with help, but this was the 1st time totally by myself. I was shaking so bad I could hardley hold the knife. Part of that was one of the roos was really mean and tried to bite me several times as I was getting ready to dispatch him. I only did 2 today, but all went well and these two are now resting in the fridge.
One was 5 pounds 12 oz, and the other 6 pounds 2 oz. dressed weight

 

[Azriel]

Yes, I did scald them before plucking. I had a total of 16 to do, and got pretty good at it by the time I was done with all of them. I would like to get a plucker before I do any more. With all the chicks I'm hatching this spring I'm going to have lots of roos to do this summer + I'm getting some actual meat birds in about 2 weeks, and I just found a local farmer to get some turkeys from.

 

[bj taylor]

did you scald them on the stove or did you have something set up outside?

 

[AlienChick]

Thanx to this thread (as well as others) we processed our 9 roosters yesterday and today.
First time ever doing this.
We have a BBQ grill on our front porch with a burner where we kept the scald pot warm (140).
I added a little dish soap to the water which really made the feathers slide out easy and smell nice.
I hugged and kissed the first four roosters before we slit their throats; After that, we were focused on getting the job done.
The first day it took us about 45 min per rooster. Today we got it down to about 30 min per rooster.

 

[Eznet2u]

Note to self: If visiting AlienChick, and she hugs you and then kisses you...RUN!!!

 

[Azriel]

 

[goldnchocolate]

X2....

 

[Leah S]

you know I am planning on "harvesting" my maran roo today too! He is super mean and I don't him when my kids are out. wonder if it's the breed?