Illinois...

[BReeder!]

I think 7lbs is about the max I could have gotten from my turkey hen. I didn't weigh her before. (Had to get it done & over quickly for my sake.) She hatched June 21 & was processed in early April, so about 9 months - adult & laying.
View attachment 1925394 View attachment 1925395

 

[Molpet]

I thought mine were hatched in May...

I wish, not looking forward to Jan processing on the 2 jakes I have from that hatch.

 

[Faraday40]

I wish, not looking forward to Jan processing on the 2 jakes I have from that hatch.

I processed so late b/c we didn't need the meat. Easier to keep her in with the flock since our freezer was full.

 

[Molpet]

I processed so late b/c we didn't need the meat. Easier to keep her in with the flock since our freezer was full.

Yeah these will probably be Easter dinners

 

[BReeder!]

I processed so late b/c we didn't need the meat. Easier to keep her in with the flock since our freezer was full.

The meat won't get tougher if they get a bit old?

 

[Faraday40]

Leghorn egg???

The large egg is from Tillie- DS's leghorn.
The smaller egg is either from Trouble -our Sebright (bantam) or our 2nd leghorn - named Millie. Millie's comb has been red but the eggs have a tiny hint of color. Can Leghorns eggs have a bit of color in the start of the cycle? The color is right for Trouble's egg, but it's a bit on the large side. (I also don't remember her eggs being so round.) We've been getting one of these round eggs per day.

Millie:

 

[Molpet]

The meat won't get tougher if they get a bit old?

No
For some reason turkey doesn't get tough like chicken
A lot of people wait until they are 18 months so they are bigger
The oldest I have done is 13 months, he was delicious

ETA actually he was a year older 25 months.

 

[Faraday40]

Guess who went broody?

Well,Yes. In a way BOTH of them are broody. DS's little serama spent the day in the nest box and was making all sorts of grumpy noises. DS was very excited, ran in the house, gathered up about 8 eggs, and slipped them under her. I don't know if her eggs are even fertile.

The nest box is another whole story. She was the one who kept hoping the fence to find me, so I'd lock her up in the bantam coop. I ended up making a nest inside one of the empty quail (or future rabbit) cages. I showed it to her and just left the door open. She flies up there as needed. Of course, tonight the door is closed and a happy little broody is in there with some eggs.

 

[BReeder!]

This evening I got home from a business trip to NJ. I managed to get our extra drake (the pekin) slaughtered, plucked and dressed. I haven't weighed it yet, but it's about the size of a store bought duck.

Plucking wasn't too bad. After slaughtering with a swift swing of an axe, I used our turkey fryer (with water instead of oil) to scald it. Then I hung the bird by its feet over a slop sink to pluck the feather and dress the bird for the most part. A blow torch helped take care of the hairs or whatever at the end. I worked in our garage to avoid disturbing any nosey neighbors.

I still need top get the quail cocks processed. I might pluck them too.

 

[Faraday40]

Wow! The 1st thing I noticed was how well it was cleaned & plucked. Good Job.
Bon appetit