turkey question

[emptynesterMom]

How long should you let a turkey rest before cooking? I plan to butcher my own Thanksgiving turkey this year. I have butchered chickens but never a turkey. Would the Saturday before Thanksgiving be OK?
Thanks

 

[Renee']

I am butchering my turkeys on Saturday and they will rest in a cold water bath in an ice chest until Thursday.

 

[PotterWatch]

We are doing ours the Monday just before Thanksgiving but you should be just fine doing it on Saturday.

 

[EggsForIHOP]

We had a turkey we butchered and left in the fridge one time for either 7 or 8 days...can't remember and that was the case then...we kept forgetting about it..but we still ate it after smoking it all on the smoker deal...VERY delicious best turkey ever! You should be fine, just be sure to keep it cold

 

[Oregon Blues]

I'll be butchering geese on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and the Thanksgiving goose is going to rest in the fridge until it is cooked.

Your turkey will be fine. Just be sure to keep it cold and get it chilled as quickly as you can after butchering.

 

[Looking4ewes]

Since your bird will be resting in the fridge, why don't you make up a brine solution with herbs and seasonings and let it rest in there for 24 - 36 hours? Then let rest outside of the brine for 24 hours before cooking. Yum!