Thanksgiving Turkey Processing

[katsdar]

the hen same turkey just older


the tom, the turkeys are about 22 weeks old now and ideas on what kind they are?

 

[CYGChickies]

Here's three of my six butcher turkeys that will be processed in November. This was taken about a week ago. I'd love something around 10 pounds or so at least, enough turkey to eat anyway! They are Narragansett and were lain, hatched and brooded on our farm. They are living in a butcher pen now with three meat chickens that will be processed on the same day. This pic was taken when they were still in my off the ground growout pen to avoid blackhead.

 

[Lillahimed]

I read this entire thread and even though I've been a vegetarian since I was 6, this is making me hungry for turkey!

 

[katsdar]

I read this entire thread and even though I've been a vegetarian since I was 6, this is making me hungry for turkey!

Let us know if you decide to try it. So you have never tasted meat?

 

[katsdar]

Well it is official, the two turkeys we bought and were supposed to be our holiday dinners, well since we ended up with a hen and a tom they are now going to be our breeding pair

 

[Lillahimed]

I tasted meat when I was little... I think I would consider it if I raised the birds myself. That way I know they were treated right. However, in the meantime, I will stick to tofu

 

[katsdar]

I tasted meat when I was little... I think I would consider it if I raised the birds myself. That way I know they were treated right. However, in the meantime, I will stick to tofu

I think I have to agree with you on how the meat is treated,raised and processed, I don't eat a lot of meat, and I'd join you with the tofu if I liked it.

 

[chicken pickin]

I think it is about time this thread was resurrected.

We are 3 weeks away from Thanksgiving day which means turkey processing day is about 2 1/2 weeks away. What are every ones plans, what varieties were raised and how many turkeys are you all processing for the big day? Anyone donating or selling off any extras they raised? Also cooking techniques if anyone wants to share.

This year I raised 9 Thanksgiving turkeys. 5 Bourbon Reds and 4 Broad Breasted Whites. Turns out out of the 5 Bourbon Reds I raised 4 were hens so they all got a pardon and went to the breeders coop with my other Bourbon Reds. So I am down to 5 to process the weekend before Thanksgiving. I will keep 2 for my family both of which will be cooked on Thanksgiving 1 roasted and 1 deep fried. The other 3 are being sold to neighbors. I sure hope they enjoy home raised turkey because next year I plan to raise a larger amount because I had a lot of interest in them this year.

 

[CYGChickies]

We raised six Narragansett turkeys this year and will be butchering them a few days before Thanksgiving. This is my first time butchering turkeys and I have a friend to dispatch them. I don't know that I can do it this year just because of sentimental reasons. Once they're dead however I am not squeamish at all about plucking or cleaning or anything like that. I am keeping two turkeys for our family and selling the other four to friends who wanted to get away from storebought. I have high hopes as these turkeys are already big big eve the hens are decent size.

I just really hope they turn out well since I'm selling them to others and that's one thing I'm super nervous about. I hope the taste is good and this is something I want to keep doing because these turkeys were hatched, brooded and raised on our farm from our adult breeders and that makes it so much more rewarding. So for now I'm biting my nails and praying for beautiful dressed carcasses that my friends will enjoy. Wish me luck!

 

[katsdar]

I have two BBbronze can you tell me if they are hens or toms?

They are bigger now do you need a newer pic? The one I plan on butchering is about 35 pounds CYGChickies I am the same way once they are dispatched I can do the rest but I have never killed anything before so I don't think I can do it. I have not cleaned a bird before either, well the only thing I have ever cleaned was a fish so this will be an eye opening experience. Tips and hints and tricks are very much welcomed.
Will I have to brine the bird? Will it be tender? I was told to give it some feed and while it is eating do the deed and not to let the other turkey see it happen and that he will miss his friend. I also free range my birds all day and I give it feed and scrapes, I have a vendor at the farmers market that his unsaleable produce he gives to me and they go into their house at night so anyone know how that effects the meat?