Processing Question

[Glenmar]

How do you get a pot big enough to scald a big turkey?
Is it a struggle to catch and dispatch one. My Thanksgiving Tom is getting big, and I am a little afraid of him.

 

[49erjohns]

Hello Virginia, Forget the scalding, dry pluck!!! What I do is to put a ladder up on the pole barn, tie both legs together, toss the other end of the rope over a high rung on the ladder and secure. Take a sharp knife in one hand and the head in the other. Just below the head stick the knife between the jugler and the neck bone and pull out. After some flopping start pulling a few feathers at a time from the tail to the neck - dry pluck. It goes fast. Much faster than a chicken. Then gut out, cut head off and than feet one at a time and you are ready to cook. It takes about a half hour. Good luck. JOHN

 

[49erjohns]

Glenmar, Haw many male blue peacocks do you have? JOHN

 

[De Wet]

shame poor turkey i m so glad we don t have thanksgiving day(for the turkeys sake)

here in south africa

 

[kuntrygirl]

Let me know how it goes.

 

[Glenmar]

Thanks guys. This will be my first turkey processing.

John, I have about 6 adult peafowl. They are lots of fun to let free range on the farm.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Please keep us posted on how it goes. I have about 20 extra males that I have to process.

 

[Franzen Farms]

Check your local restaurant supply shop, thats where I found this 42 gallon pot for scalding for under $50.

 

[bocephus]

Check your local stores for a turkey frying kit, usually the bigger sporting goods store carry them. It will come with a propane burner and a large pot. Closer to Thanksgiving they will get cheaper. You can also start checking craigslist now. For this situation you could go pretty cheap. If I was making beer or frying a turkey in it than the pot quality would matter. Considering that you're only simmering water with it you can go as cheap as possible.

 

[Oregon Blues]

I bought one of those galvanized wash tubs. I use a propane camp stove under it to heat the water. It's plenty big enough for a large turkey.