Today was turkey harvest day. Our first. We have been putting this off for a variety of reasons.
Too rainy. Too cold (not exactly odd for November in Maine). Too busy.
With Thanksgiving just four days away, we simply could not wait any longer. The fact is we liked the Turkey Dudes as we've come to call them (although I think they were hens!). They had personality. They talked to us or to Paul anyway. Me they presented their backside. Maybe they know Im the one with the roasting pan?
I was tempted to keep them on. They had personality that our meat chickens lacked. As craggy as their appearance, they had pretty, gentle eyes. Then I thought about the winter feed bill...
Our two 3½ month-old turkeys weighed in at a total of 30 pounds dressed (without giblets, neck, etc.). Paul did the math and they cost us about $1.33 a pound -- certainly more than the bargain turkey in the grocery freezer does. Local farmers are getting $2.50 a pound for locally raised farm fresh turkey.
While we didnt save pennies with this experiment, we can be proud that our turkeys were raised with respect. They were a fun part of our lives for a few months and we enjoyed them more than we ever expected. When raising our own food, we learn to not take it for granted.
Too rainy. Too cold (not exactly odd for November in Maine). Too busy.
With Thanksgiving just four days away, we simply could not wait any longer. The fact is we liked the Turkey Dudes as we've come to call them (although I think they were hens!). They had personality. They talked to us or to Paul anyway. Me they presented their backside. Maybe they know Im the one with the roasting pan?
I was tempted to keep them on. They had personality that our meat chickens lacked. As craggy as their appearance, they had pretty, gentle eyes. Then I thought about the winter feed bill...
Our two 3½ month-old turkeys weighed in at a total of 30 pounds dressed (without giblets, neck, etc.). Paul did the math and they cost us about $1.33 a pound -- certainly more than the bargain turkey in the grocery freezer does. Local farmers are getting $2.50 a pound for locally raised farm fresh turkey.
While we didnt save pennies with this experiment, we can be proud that our turkeys were raised with respect. They were a fun part of our lives for a few months and we enjoyed them more than we ever expected. When raising our own food, we learn to not take it for granted.
