Heritage & Exhibition Turkey Thread

[Arielle]

I have had to rescue turkeys too that flew over a 6 foot fence for the dogs ( to protect the dogs from human idiots). I

heard "the bark" and the scury of many scrambling dog feet. I raced thru the house to the most likely closest window, threw it up and open yelling commands at the dogs. THank god for all the training I put in. THe boys looked at me like " what? huh? you mean we can't have them?" with feet doing the "I want them" dance. I didn't trust that I would get back to a door and around the house before they broke command, so I opted to go out the window!! Head first was not a good method!! I climbed back into the house and went feet first and jumped the 6 feet to the ground, and by then the most of the turkeys had flown back over the fence and I collected the last one too foolish to know it was within inches of dying. My rotties held command until I released them. GOod boys!

YEs, I had the best turkey ever a month or so again. It was a free ranging 9-10 month old BR. I had let it rest in the 'fridge for a day and it was tender and juicy. Lots of juice. Sure didn't need brining. I need to roast up another one this week. THey are sooooo good.

 

[mstarr]

How did you cook your turkey? I have heard that heritage turkeys should be roasted more quickly at a higher temperature. Is that true?

 

[wsmith]

How did you cook your turkey? I have heard that heritage turkeys should be roasted more quickly at a higher temperature. Is that true?

Quite the opposite. Low temp for a longer time. I brined mine for 24 hours as well.

 

[Arielle]

How did you cook your turkey? I have heard that heritage turkeys should be roasted more quickly at a higher temperature. Is that true?

Lower temp and longer. I also found letting it sit in the refrig did wonders for the texture. Definiitely was softer than the tough chew when immediately placed into the oven. Flavor the same, just a change in texture.

 

[wsmith]

A couple of photos of our Narragansetts. I think they are 8 weeks old. We put them in with the hens last Sunday.

 

[K Epp]

Can some one help me tell the gender of my Standard Bronze turkeys. They are 3mths old. I have 2.

#1






#1 is a lot bigger than #2. It's head will turn almost blood red and blue when it gets mad. It will also puff up, but I have not seen either strut.

#2






Does #2 have what is called split wing? If so I know I should not breed it. but will it effect its quality of life?

I have been told on another site that they were both toms by several people and then told by just as many that they were hens.

 

[Arielle]

Split wind, as I understand it, requires counting the feathers to be sure, not just looking at the wing in a photo or standing looking at the bird.

I'm still not great at sexing turkeys-- maybe one girl and one boy. On No1. Can you feel the little button on the chest where the hair grows in? You might be able to feel that already. I have not seen the girls do the color changes the males do.

Will be interesting to hear what others think. Good photos, too!!

 

[K Epp]

Thanks I will check it out when I go to carry it to the barn. Spoiled thing is going to get left out side some time.

 

[K Epp]

Thanks I will check it out when I go to carry it to the barn. Spoiled thing is going to get left out side some time.

 

[wsmith]

I also have two Bronze turkeys.... This is the first time with Bronze, but Narragansett males are larger and darker than the females, and their wattles and snoods are bigger as well. Both my Bronzes appear to be the same color and the same size. My Bronzes are nearly 8 weeks.