A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Finnie]

Mine usually start rigor mortis when I am about half way through plucking them.

Oh good. Thanks, I feel better about that now.

They do make larger kill cones to fit turkeys I have two larger ones. One for 1st year Heritage and another larger one that older and broad breasted fit in. But I do a lot of turkeys, so the expense was worth it for me. Your method looks like it worked very well for no expense and would work well for those not doing turkeys a lot. Enjoy that bird

Thanks, I hope to! I rubbed the dry brine over and under the skin as much as I could. Legs are still too stiff to bend, but it fits in my roaster diagonally, so I’m happy with that.

In related news, I have found two Bourbon Red hens from a breeder about an hour and a half away that I plan to go get tomorrow. If road conditions allow it.

 

[Bantambird]

I use a feed bag with a corner cut, and take some twine to secure the legs. We have a hitching rail that has a double rail, so we tie the secured feet to the post while the shoulders rest on the two rails. We use that hithcing rail to hold our cones, too. We made killing cones out of traffic cones with the tops cut for chickens. Once the turkey quits thrashing, we dunk them in 155 F water for scalding, then into the plucker. They go inside to finish up the rest after that.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

We have a few "nooses" tied to a low branch back behind the turkey pen with slip knots to adjust the loop. Usually, we will hang the turkey by his feet there and DH will just use a log and hatchet. They're at perfect bought for that. Then we just jump back. I did use the broomstick method on the last few that I did on my own...I got beat up pretty good with flailing wings lol. It worked but I don't recommend it.

 

[Huntmaster]

Lost one of my older hens, found her this morning. She would have been 9 years old this spring, she couldn't take the 50+winds with the -4 temps. Could tell this spring she was just not the same bird she always had been, so I didn't breed her figured her days were numbered just hated to see her go this way. But that is the natural way, I guess. Can't live forever.

 

[Molpet]

Lost one of my older hens, found her this morning. She would have been 9 years old this spring, she couldn't take the 50+winds with the -4 temps. Could tell this spring she was just not the same bird she always had been, so I didn't breed her figured her days were numbered just hated to see her go this way. But that is the natural way, I guess. Can't live forever.

Sorry for your loss.
I have been waiting for the goofs in the trees to freeze.

 

[R2elk]

Mine did fine out on their roosts when it was -40°F.

The oldest turkeys I have lost were both 11 years old and were taken by predators. My current oldest one is a bearded Blue Slate hen. She is probably 7.

 

[R2elk]

Merry Christmas!!!​

 

[Molpet]

Merry Christmas

 

[rjohns39]

Merry Christmas to all

 

[Huntmaster]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE.