Processing Day Support Group ~ HELP us through the Emotions PLEASE!

[ChaoSS]

A scalpel can work, but it is a short blade. Some people may find a longer blade easier to work with. I used a Havalon knife with replaceable blade. You can buy them in anything from short scalpels to longer filet blades.

A little pricy but if you have no talent for sharpening a blade it makes for a good choice.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

That's so Dexter.

LOL

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

@LindaB220

Great link.

I need to see one just for ducks now. Please.
I have these 2 Indian Runner Drakes that are ripping my ladies ' necks bLd , can't give them away. But I feel about Runner drakes the way all y'all feel about Silkies.

 

[ChaoSS]

LOL

The sawzall didn't get me, something about the splash mask combined with the guy with the sawzall though... Just too much.

 

[Crickett]

@LindaB220

Great link.

I need to see one just for ducks now. Please.
I have these 2 Indian Runner Drakes that are ripping my ladies ' necks bLd , can't give them away. But I feel about Runner drakes the way all y'all feel about Silkies.

I don't have runners, but I would guess you'd process them the same as any other bird. Just be warned, there will be a LOT of feathers! Ducks tend to have way more than other birds. It's probably because they are water fowl.

 

[southernmomma]

@Arielle ~ you're right, I have no real sense of how much blood involved so I'm glad it's not the Carrie-esque amount I envision

It's a steep learning curve as I have never killed an animal with my own hands; hunting and fishing seem further removed.

I envy those that have grown up with greater connection to their food. I'm working hard to close the gap for myself and our children.
I'm really looking forward to the day that *everything*, not just the fruit and vegetable portion, on our dinner table comes from our own efforts.

@ChaoSS ~ those look like nice knives! I have an idea of what I'd like to use but have had difficulties trying figure out where to look so thank you for the suggestion.

M

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Should have more meat on him-- and depending on how much he has been eating, the amt of fat varies. I really fel like the heritage birds cook up quicker than the butterballs, and I was dwelling on why this would be. Perhaps it is the thinner breast meat-- like a thin steak pan firies faster than a thick steak.

When are you planning to roast him??

Between this heat wave and the rains coming. . . my one a day plan is flling apart. lol

 

[chicken pickin]

Should have more meat on him-- and depending on how much he has been eating, the amt of fat varies. I really fel like the heritage birds cook up quicker than the butterballs, and I was dwelling on why this would be. Perhaps it is the thinner breast meat-- like a thin steak pan firies faster than a thick steak.

When are you planning to roast him??

Between this heat wave and the rains coming. . . my one a day plan is flling apart. lol

Im not sure yet but Id like to process him soon. Since I only have one turkey pen for the adults and one grow out pen for the little ones I feel I need to only keep one adult Tom on hand. The 2 Toms are doing a number on the hens not to mention each other with all the sparring that goes on.
I currently have the 2 toms separate in the grow out pen and the little ones (eight - 8week olds) free range during the day but still sleep in my garage and that is driving me nuts

I might try to put the poults in with the hens in the main coop/run soon and see how that goes, maybe separated by a fence.

 

[dutchbunny83]

He's not likely to make it to 9 months-- but you probably already know that. At about 4 months , my birds stopped walking out tothe back yard to graze. Literally, they walked out the door and plunked down. ANd spent their last month that way. Wore off the breast feathers . . . .

Hope you will take pic of Tiny TIm at any time over 6 months. THey sure put on a lot of meat !! WE bake them up and have leftovers all winter long. Yum!!

He better make it to Christmas, he's our Christmas dinner!!!
Last year they all were processed at 6 months and were still very active (too active, they'd knock you over when you brought in the fermented feed).
Fingers crossed because if he goes on me in September it'll be too late for another turkey...

 

[winteree]

Talking about the frustration of people wanting to "buy" for next to nothing your meat animals brings up one of my pet peeves. Family and friends who choose not to garden, and aren't there helping to pay the plant / seed bill, who aren't there for helping plant or care for any of the garden, who aren't there on bill day to help pay for the water bill to water you plants, who aren't even there to help pick the veggies, but sure do present themselves and invite themselves to your "free garden food"

yeah if my family knew just how much works goes into those veggies they would never give them away for free.