7 months worth while?

[GBov]

Would a 7 month old Narragansett turkey be worth having for Christmas dinner? Have found some on Craigs list for $45 and having been SOOOOOO disapointed with our last store bought turkey have decided to go the little bit extra and have a heritage for the big day. But I DONT want to spend out that much and it not be enough meat to bother with!

They are billing them as BIG boys.

 

[GBov]

Or would Jersey Buffs 9 months old be better for the big day flavor and meat amount wise?

 

[longranger]

You would have to check out the individual bird. A healthy Tom meeting APA standard would probably dress out at a little over 15 pounds. A hen 1/2 to 2/3 of that. The mature weights listed for the APA are not reached until about 18 months. Also there is a lot of variability in size from one bloodline to another. Even good bloodlines may show slow growth and smaller size if they are not completely healthy or don't get the proper high protein feed. Regardless I strongly prefer the flavor and texture of a heritage bird. $45 is reasonable if it is a robust healthy 7 month old bird. Figure the poult would cost about $10 and the feed eaten in 7 months would probably leave slim or no profit.

 

[GBov]

I have gone ahead and e-mailed about the Narries. I would rather risk only 2 great dinners off of one bird than looking at the leftovers and going "Oh GREAT, more carp turkey to use up!"

Of course, with my luck I will get "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO you cant EAT Mr. Gobbles!" Like when I was looking for cheap roosters for the pot

Why people put things up for sale and then quibble with what you plan to do with it

 

[GBov]

Well, got him home today and while I was setting up he filled the ENTIRE neighborhood with GOBBLE GOBBLE! The kids thought it was funny (so did I a bit) but hubby was running round saying MAKE IT STOP THAT!!!!

So I did

he dressed out at a little over 11 pounds. Works out at about $4.00 a pound so not too bad and best yet, the gibblets are all cooked for my late night snack

Oh, someone here recomended vet wrap for wing restraints,

worked a treat! Wrapped him up all snug, put a sock on his head and he went to sleep while I was putting the hoist together lol Hung him by his feet and used the loppers on him. Bled out nicely and HEY PRESTO! Christmas dinner is resting in teh fridge

 

[ccrawf]

MY bourbon reds dressed out at 10-11 pounds each. Not bad birds, but after butchering Broad BReasted bronze of the same aget hat weighed 26 pounds, was a little disappointed. Also, I only got $20 each for my birds. Still have a few left, lol!! And yes, they will be the best birds you ever ate.

 

[GBov]

Quote:
Any tips on how to cook it? I was going to use a turkey bag as I have never cooked a heritage breed before and dont want to dry it out.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Hint for next year, if you raise your own birds the longer you keep them on higher protien feed the more weight they will gain.

Steve in NC

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
Any tips on how to cook it? I was going to use a turkey bag as I have never cooked a heritage breed before and dont want to dry it out.

Don't over cook it is the biggest thing, they are alot leaner than store bought. Also, 1/4 er an apple or two and put inside the turkey. It gives just a hint of apple flavor to the meat.

Steve

 

[GBov]

I just WISH it was home raised lol Thanks for the tip on cooking it Stev. CCrawf, sorry you still have birds left but you might try selling them "on the hoof" as it were. Thats why we spent what we did on this one, it was the only one I could find this close to the big day and they were selling theirs mostly to small flock owners. At least they were realistic about its purpos. She said he was sweet or would taste great, whatever we planned to do with him lol