Stormcrow's Hobby Farm

[Sally PB]

Greenhouse framed and painted.

What color?

 

[Molpet]

None of the last batch of Turkey eggs were fertile. Tom's time is coming to an end Eventually. Culling day keeps getting pushed back.

Greenhouse framed and painted. Rain and mounting hardware slowed the assembly, still need to attach the walls and cut at the top. "PVCLite" and "Suntuf" wave panels don't have the same wave profile - the wave closure strips I bought don't fit. Couldn't find foam closure strips, will have to buy the expanding foam strips for top and bottom when next I am in town.

Delay - story of my days.

How old is the tom and what variety?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Not even one year old and big breasted bronze, he's got to weigh over 30 pounds.

 

[Molpet]

View attachment 4259255

Not even one year old and big breasted bronze, he's got to weigh over 30 pounds.

They use AI because the breasts are too big and get in the way ... Unless they are starved, some don't feed them every day.

 

[Sally PB]

So, are you inviting him to Christmas dinner?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

They use AI because the breasts are too big and get in the way ... Unless they are starved, some don't feed them every day.

Agree. He managed one viable egg hatching before last. He's just huge - like a Great Dane rushing by as he wobbles/waddles to the food bowl.

and probably too tough for a fancy meal. Thinking turkey burgers.

 

[Molpet]

Agree. He managed one viable egg hatching before last. He's just huge - like a Great Dane rushing by as he wobbles/waddles to the food bowl.

and probably too tough for a fancy meal. Thinking turkey burgers.

I start the heritage harvesting jakes at 6 months... usually all harvested by 18 months. I had a 4 year old tom that was great.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I start the heritage harvesting jakes at 6 months... usually all harvested by 18 months. I had a 4 year old tom that was great.

That is comforting to hear.

My wife and I had a 14# (processed weight - so maybe 22-23# live weight?) bird for Thanksgiving, and every meal thereafter till last evening, still have half the breast (in the freezer). I'm struggling to come to grips w/ how much bigger this bird will be. Even the 14# wouldn't fit in the oven, and I doubt ole Tom will fit in the smoker, either. Will likely have to sous vide in a 120+qt cooler.

 

[NatJ]

That is comforting to hear.

My wife and I had a 14# (processed weight - so maybe 22-23# live weight?) bird for Thanksgiving, and every meal thereafter till last evening, still have half the breast (in the freezer). I'm struggling to come to grips w/ how much bigger this bird will be. Even the 14# wouldn't fit in the oven, and I doubt ole Tom will fit in the smoker, either. Will likely have to sous vide in a 120+qt cooler.

Have you considered cutting the big turkey into pieces, to eat at different times? Once or twice I've cut up a turkey into a bunch of pieces: one leg/thigh is one package, one big slice of breast is another package, one or two wings makes one package, and eventually the remaining bony parts go for soup/broth.

I've found this handy when there was a good sale on turkeys at the store, but I didn't need that much meat at any one meal.

 

[Molpet]

That is comforting to hear.

My wife and I had a 14# (processed weight - so maybe 22-23# live weight?) bird for Thanksgiving, and every meal thereafter till last evening, still have half the breast (in the freezer). I'm struggling to come to grips w/ how much bigger this bird will be. Even the 14# wouldn't fit in the oven, and I doubt ole Tom will fit in the smoker, either. Will likely have to sous vide in a 120+qt cooler.

I have freeze space so I part out and vacuum seal.
I don't have enough room for the back so I used to can bone broth.