A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Huntmaster]

Happy New Year

 

[Bantambird]

Do you skin your birds or pluck? I need to find a deep enough pot to scald larger turkey jakes and toms. We usually build a fire outside in the fire pit with a grate and use a pot to scald chickens. I definitely need a bigger one if I intend to scald and pluck.

I use a featherman plucker, it can do up to a 25 lb bird. I don't get turkeys bigger than that. We used to use a 55 gallon metal drum sliced in half as the scalder, now we use a big 80 quart stock pot. Ideal plucking temperature is 148 degrees for all birds. If you skin, you take off the fat layer just under the skin, even if you don't eat the skin, it can help preserve the meat in the freezer.

 

[Bantambird]

What is your alls method of killing them? Turkeys are much bigger than our chickens so I'm trying to figure out the easiest way. Hatchet to cut the head off or hang and cut the jugulars?

we use huge traffic cones. The hitching post outside has double rails, and the cones fit nicely between the double rails, making for a nice outdoor killing location. We cut off the top of the cone and then the head can hang down. When not in use, they cones stack up next to the hitching post, which is situated next to the tack shed/hatchery.

We cut the jugulars since the plucker requires you leave the head on. let them bleed out completely, we do not want any chance to dipping a living bird in the scalding water.

 

[KF0002]

Happy New Year Everybody!

 

[KF0002]

we use huge traffic cones. The hitching post outside has double rails, and the cones fit nicely between the double rails, making for a nice outdoor killing location. We cut off the top of the cone and then the head can hang down. When not in use, they cones stack up next to the hitching post, which is situated next to the tack shed/hatchery.

We cut the jugulars since the plucker requires you leave the head on. let them bleed out completely, we do not want any chance to dipping a living bird in the scalding water.

I would love to invest in a big plucker! But hand plucking it is for now. I need to get a big 80 qt pot for scalding. I have done many chickens and have a thermometer and know the process. Just have never scalded and plucked a turkey. I'm sure I will have plenty of jakes for the freezer this year. That tends to be the way my luck falls. Lol

 

[KF0002]

My Narragansett hen is laying. Ive gotten 3 eggs so far. Not Beretta, which is Ruger's sister. The hen with Ruger is a 2 year old I got off a friend in trade for a jake. Her name is Sassy because she hisses when you handle her.

 

[KF0002]

Here is a pic of my son with his favorite hen, Beretta. She's very tame from having a rough start in the beginning. She was sick when I brought her home from the breeder as a poult with coccidiosis so she is used to being handled.

 

[R2elk]

Another long time missing member is @feistychick who was last seen Jan. 21, 2018.

 

[KF0002]

Another long time missing member is @feistychick who was last seen Jan. 21, 2018.

What happened to her? I hope she is okay.

 

[KF0002]

At what age can a juvenile turkey survive outside in the winter without a heat lamp?