Can I salvage the meat (safely)??

[DB_Tex]

Darn kids. 3 of my turkeys, two only 2 months old got themselves into my cow pen, and couldn't get out. Told kids to get them out... they decided not to listen. Young turkey number 1 got hot, jumped into the huge stock tank (tank equals about 3-4 bathtubs), fell into stock tank, drowned. Was submersed in the water (Clean water, Thank God-- I JUST cleaned the tank out for my dairy cow's benefit) for about an hour and a half-- water was cold. The other two are fine (but thirsty).

This one that I lost is about the size of a roasting chicken, so I'd like to save it if I can. I have it hanging, I cut the head off and the blood is draining freely.

Can I salvage this guy and cook him up for human consumption? Failing that can I boil him down to stock for dog food? I'd hate for a food animal to be wasted.

 

[smilingcat]

If its in a very cold water for only an hour and half or so, I can't imagine the bacteria count in the meat would reach a dangerous level.

But if it drowned in the water, the bird was probably frantic and thrashed around. The fear and panic would release adrenaline or equivalent and that would make the meat not "good eats". Meat animals/birds should be dispatched quickly not only for humane sake but also to keep the meat from developing nasty taste.

Hour and half, i would clean it... cook it up and if doesn't taste good feed it to the dogs and other animals. I too hate wasting food.

 

[DB_Tex]

well I had to skin it anyway for the pinfeathers--- dogfood stock is the easiest to do with it.