An example of how well br turkeys forage (slightly graphic - pics taken during processing)

[Scottingitup]

Did you cut open the gizzard too? And if you did, what was in there? On the one we processed before Christmas, I was a little shocked at how big it was, compared to store birds.My rooster's gizzards are bigger,too. Maybe because they are older birds than store bought. My turkey's gizzard didn't have much grit in it compared to a chickens. Is this normal?

I did not keep the gizzards on these particular birds, I did for the ones I processed for thanksgiving. They had roughly a golf ball sized amount of gravel/grit in them. The gizzard itself was roughly the size of my fist.

 

[GotCoop]

Nice bird! I built a spinning drum type plucker with plucker fingers, a salvaged ac blower motor, a belt and pulleys from TSC. Definitely cuts down the plucking time...its like lathing a chicke. But one of those nice manufactured pluckers would make it so fast and efficient. I do 25 freedom rangers twice a year. Takes me about 15 to 20 minutes per chicken.

 

[Celie]

I'm having family and friends over Saturday evening and breaking out the fryer

Plucking ranges me anywhere from 15-30 minutes. I am usually closer to 15 at the start of the day and closer to 30 by the end! lol Took me about 25 mins on these birds due to it being night - come on time change!

If I had enough people close by I would purchase a plucker and rent it out.

That's exactly what DH promised to build, if this rain ever stops, maybe he can finish it!

I scald. Hold the bird under by the feet and wiggling it around to help the water penetrate and gently pull at the feathers on the bottom of the bird until they come free with little force. Then i do another 30 seconds just to be sure, i aim for 150 degree water temp. Dunk in ice water and go to plucking starting with the primary flight feathers (the largest).

I learned something new here!! I scald, too, but never tried to put it into ice water before I plucked it!!!! I always waited to soak it after it is plucked. Thanks, I will try that !!!

BTW, very nice fat bird for 9 months!