Turkey processing

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We had some friends come over today for their 1st ever processing. I didn't think it would, but everything went very very well. Didn't get as many pics as I wanted since we were helping them alot. We did a Midget White for us and a Beltsville for them.

Guests of honor

we know what this is for

Scalding pot

plucking

Steve

 

[MovieFanz]

Do you have a picture of the finished product? What are the ages and finished weights?

 

[RAREROO]

Nice I'd like to see a close up of the forth pic to see the expressions on the faces of the birds in the back ground. I processed my Scovie drake today and I swear the rest of the flock got the heck out of dodge for a while till I was done. lol Good job though, how entertaining was that couple you were helping ?

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Darn Steve, a $75 broad ax and a $75 cast iron wash pot.... That's butchering with CLASS! Mine just get a sharp knife and a stock pot. I'm jealous.

 

[Illia]

Golly I want an axe like that. . . . Very nice!

 

[leoismydog]

Yes nice hatchet never saw one with a wide blade like that, I dry plucked the one turkey today not to bad but man there's a ton of the little new (just starting to develope type) feathers still on him any good way to get then gone, There barely big enough to get a hold of almost need tweezers to get em. it was a bourbon so there dark and you can see them, I was plucking longer than anything else. I need me one of them plucker things.

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:
I use a long lighter to burn them off quickly and then rinse.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

The axe I got on ebay years ago. The camp hatchet just didn't make it for turkeys and geese. The guy that was selling it was a furniture maker and the handle is offset, I think they call it a hewing axe or something like that but I got it $10 or 15. The was pot was the same way, I picked it up at a yard sale. They were using it as a flower planter.

Steve

 

[ColbyNTX]

Love the pot and axe! I use my 80qt crawfish pot and a pocket knife to cut the throat. It is light and the propane is easy to controll the heat. My 13yr old daughter and I butchered a nise st bronze to this weekend. I always butcher out of view of my other birds. My wifes uncle killed a turkey in front of the others 2 years ago, the rest of the flock took off that day never to be seen again!

Glad we got it done because today we are going up to 78deg and humid. The weather is really messing up my deer and hog hunting!

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you can do it safely, and I'm thinking of windy days or when it is very dry as danger points, a crumbled up newspaper burns quickly and pretty hot. Just drag the carcass through the flames. With bit of practice, I find it works pretty well on chickens. Have not tried it on turkeys yet.

Steve, I do plan on ordering some eggs after Christmas.