Processed two turkeys early for customers. Live vs dressed weight....

[sonew123]

yah Id be raising more turkeys If I could get that price but around here, people look at what the store sell turkeys for ( yesterday it was 49 cents a pound

) I bought one

I get 3-3.50$ a pound for my CX when I did them-14-15$ a bird was great for me-but turkeys wow ..I have a midget white breeding pair and she is starting to lay now-I want to raise at least 5 in early Spring so I can filled my freezer for T day and big parties. Good job Jeff congrats!!!!

 

[lorrir]

I have two male turkeys from last year that have free ranged (really they have been eating dog food) for the past year. What do you think they will taste like? Will it be worth it to cull them and have them for Thanksgivig or will they be to strog?

I got 50 of them as chicks from Ideal in the sprig of 2009.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

It will be like any other meat after a year old.... it would be best to slow cook them. Are they a heritage bird?


And yes it took a lot two years ago to ask $4.00 / pound but I'm glad I did. We sold out of 200 this year three weeks ago. I had to change my answer machine to "we are sold out of turkeys for 2010 please leave a message for all other inquiries." A lot of selling farm products is marketing and even if you're in an area that may not take those prices initially, over time they will. You have to build a customer base, last year I donated 30 turkeys because we couldn't sell them... this year a lot of my regulars are missing out on our Thanksgiving turkeys.

When I first started, it was $2.00 / pound... I didn't get these prices right away. However after you make the move to make this a full time job people understand that you're making a living from it and most of them understand. Many customers won't pay that much for a turkey but there are more than enough customers that will and since it's a one time purchase.... many don't care. The way I look at it, I have to raise them for 4 months so you need to divide your time up over the course of 4 months. For instance if you raise 20, $80.00 turkeys, that's $1,600.... well if you divide that over 4 months your grossing only $400.00. Take feed, labor, water (I buy my water), price of poults, electric, ect. you're not making the amount that you think you are. If prices were $2.00 per pound I would be barley breaking even and not paying bills. That's the first mistake someone just getting into this can make... is charging to little. You have to be honest with your customers and they will support you through thick and thin. Also have a good appearance on your farm... curb appeal is everything as most people make decisions with their eyes first. If you have clutter laying around and the place is muddy... you can forget about asking higher prices.

My competitors in the area are getting $3.50 / pound and still have turkeys available, so again it goes to show it's about convenience of location and your marketing... which includes your personality... so smile!!

 

[lorrir]

Bronze Breasted.

I really need to cull them they are more of a nuisance than anything. Just wondering if they are worthy of thanksgiving dinner.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I think that you will be ok, just cook them a little lower and a little slower than usual. If the are a broad breasted variety they should be well over 50 pounds by this point.

 

[lorrir]

Thanks

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
Nice!!! thats awesome for you guys and your so flipping young too

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Young and dumb I guess....

ETA: Hey, I will be a quarter of a century old in July.... I'm really not looking forward to that!!

 

[sonew123]

Quote:

you young punker! Im pushing 40-try looking forward to that!!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Hey I got a lot of friends that are in their 40's and 50's (fellow farmers) and I get picked on all the time for being young.... I always dish it back though. They always tell me that age is just a number... and I believe them because at a bonfire... I'm usually the first one to go home! LOL... and again... I sure get picked on.

All in good fun though.....