Question

[The Red Rooster]

Has anyone tasted wild terkey? Did it tast better then store bought turkey? And how can you tell if the turkey is young or old? I was thinking of a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving.

 

[Lagerdogger]

I raise heritage turkeys, and almost all of my customers tell me that they prefer the heritage birds to broad-breasted. I've not tasted domesticated eastern wilds, but have had a couple of wild eastern wilds. I think I like the heritage birds better.

Longer beards and longer spurs would indicate older birds, but older isn't necessarily worse for eating.

 

[Frosty]

I raise BB turkeys every year, but don't feed for fast weight gain. They get plenty of bugs and stuff. Folks tell me that they are much better than a store bought turkey, too. I think part of the difference is in the age... Commercial turkeys are fed to grow fast and butchered young. It's probably like comparing veal and beef. As they get older, they develop more flavor.

 

[The Red Rooster]

Quote:
Thats the way it should be! They grow them SO fast. They're body can't keep up with it!

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

big difference with wild turkey is that it is all dark meat, even the breast is darker. Meat is a bit more firm. Turkey flavor a more intense.