Butchered one of my Turkeys today

[SkyWarrior]

We had gotten two BBW birds and they're beyond huge now. Today we decided to butcher one. After much thought, we actually came up with a way to do the deed, since an ax seemed a bit anemic.

We used my sword. Seriously.

My husband and I practice longsword and I gave him my hand and a half to do the deed, as it is more of a cutter. He did an excellent cut that left me stunned -- and the turkey was without its head in a blink of an eye. I couldn't believe it. He didn't even think he cut through the turkey until he saw its body flapping on the ground.

So, my hand and a half should probably be given the name Turkey-Slayer.

Nah... I cut up the turkey and froze it for meals.

 

[cackleberrycoop]

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. Way to go Skywarrior. I'm all about the humane killing of our birds, when it comes time to slaughter, and I can't imagine a bird who wouldn't prefer death by the sword, the way you describe it, as opposed to being flipped upside down and layed over a cutting block first. The only way I can think of that would be marginally easier on the turkey would be a shot gun to the head, but these days that is just too expensive.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
It was ridiculously fast. The turkey didn't know what killed it.

We thought about a shotgun, being that it was such a big bird, but we didn't want to spook the horses because they were so close to the barn. The turkey was a typical BBW and could barely walk, so getting him moved was difficult at best.

 

[Frosty]

That would have been something to see! No pics of the sword?

 

[SillyChicken]

I have to say I like that idea!

I used a 22, on mine, bullets are cheap enough compared to the price of a sword. Which I'd love to learn to use!

Any idea how much yours weighed? Ours was 40.5#!!

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Here it is, for you to chuckle over. It isn't the first time this sword has drawn blood, both I and my husband have accidentally cut ourselves on its razor-sharp blade. It's a Cold Steel hand and a half. My husband has an Albion, but it is more suited to 15th century armor. My sword is more of a 13th century sword.

I think the turkey was around 35 lbs. The other turkey, to be slaughter later is pushing 40 lbs. The sword is a remarkable tool for dispatching the turkeys easily. I think it's the tool we'll use in the future because it's so fast and humane.

 

[Frosty]

Awesome! It's actually gorgeous in a simplistic way, isn't it?

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
I think so.

Thank you.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Did you age the turkey 3-4 days in the fridge before you froze it? If not, let us know if it's chewy.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Nope. Never have actually. I brine them so they aren't chewy.