Heritage Turkey, What age taste, tenderness decline?

[Quailen]

Hello all,
I have a small flock of 2 year old Bourbon Red Turkeys. My question is, how old until their taste/tenderness will start to decline? (the absolutely oldest age) Thanks for any info and "Happy Thanksgiving!"

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't know for sure, but since heritage turkeys are very active most of their lives I don't think it matters. The meat is less tender due to exercise. If rested and prepared properly you shouldn't notice a difference. Most heritage take 7-12 months to reach a butcher size as it is, so they aren't the tender babies that a broad breasted would be no matter the age.

 

[Quailen]

oldhenlikesdogs, thank you very much! And that's a relief.

Reason for my question is my good neighbor asked for a turkey for Thanksgiving so im giving her one and did not want to disappoint on taste. Thanks again!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

oldhenlikesdogs, thank you very much! And that's a relief.

Reason for my question is my good neighbor asked for a turkey for Thanksgiving so im giving her one and did not want to disappoint on taste. Thanks again!

Resting the carcass for a few days than brining will help. I personally don't eat mine, but my husband does on occasion. I haven't heard any complaints about them being too tough. It's all in the prep. They are definitely different than store BB. My husband did have problems eating the leg meat, so that may need special attention.

 

[aart]

Resting the carcass for a few days

Probably too late but......I part out fresh turkeys each year, rather than roasting a whole bird - I eat turkey all year round, have found that resting them longer(4-5 days)makes them much easier to butcher which I also assume means the meat is more tender .....also supported by the fact that I let my old hen carcasses rest longer this year(3-4 days instead of 2-3) and the one I've cooked so far was much more tender than usual.