Turkeys For 2013

[Arielle]

Quote: Canner arrived today!!! 2 days early. Still need another part though that is extra- an extra order and extra $$ but so worth it. A canner regulator. I like to hear the canner rather than depend on the pressure puage which is notoriously off.

Canning meat is new to me-- but my mom and I used to can when I was a teen. Just need to know a few things to keep food safe for eating.

What do you have for a canner??

That looks like pendulous crop. If the crop never goes back to a normal position, my advice is cull the bird before it gets worse. It is a genetic disorder and the birds afflicted usually suffer a long decline and eventually die. The ligaments holding the crop in place are weak and the crop stretches down when the bird eats and drinks. The more it stretches, the worse it gets. Eventually the food cannot pass normally into the stomach and gizzard and sits in the crop and spoils. The bird can starve to death with a full crop. It is very sad.

I had one chicken with this-- or I think it was this. I culled the bird simpley based on it not being normal, not because I knew what the problem was at the time. SO thank you for sharing. Now I'm certain this was the problem. Glad I culled to the freezer.

I have five Blue Slate poults. None are blind and none have a distended crop like that.

Quote: As long as you get the crates back, build what will work for you. I have metal dog crates that can stack. OTherwise, maybe it is time to start processing your own???????? Maybe??????

Just kidding you. . .I know you are not ready yet.

 

[Turkeytruff]

That looks like pendulous crop. If the crop never goes back to a normal position, my advice is cull the bird before it gets worse. It is a genetic disorder and the birds afflicted usually suffer a long decline and eventually die. The ligaments holding the crop in place are weak and the crop stretches down when the bird eats and drinks. The more it stretches, the worse it gets. Eventually the food cannot pass normally into the stomach and gizzard and sits in the crop and spoils. The bird can starve to death with a full crop. It is very sad.

thanks for this info although it is sad. I agree, I will have to cull eventually. So far it is eating and 5 minutes later has a bit of a time swallowing and then seems to be OK. It is still growing at the moment (7-8 weeks old though) and seems to be quite happy with life so far. I would like to let it grow a bit more as long as it doesn't seem to be suffering.

I have five Blue Slate poults. None are blind and none have a distended crop like that.

Your's look great - how old are they?

I have 2 Blue Slate Poults and they seem fine other than she's a little nosy at times. Did you say they came from a breeder or a hatchery?


Your blue slate looks gorgeous!
Mine came from a local breeder - this person is one of the more established breeders and I paid more than the average for over here. She said they had had one blind poult 6 years ago but nothing like that since.
Not impressed - 40% not good, the other's seem fine and healthy and alert and growing well.

 

[chickadoodles]

Canner arrived today!!! 2 days early. Still need another part though that is extra- an extra order and extra $$ but so worth it. A canner regulator. I like to hear the canner rather than depend on the pressure puage which is notoriously off.

Canning meat is new to me-- but my mom and I used to can when I was a teen. Just need to know a few things to keep food safe for eating.

What do you have for a canner??



I had one chicken with this-- or I think it was this. I culled the bird simpley based on it not being normal, not because I knew what the problem was at the time. SO thank you for sharing. Now I'm certain this was the problem. Glad I culled to the freezer.

As long as you get the crates back, build what will work for you. I have metal dog crates that can stack. OTherwise, maybe it is time to start processing your own???????? Maybe??????

Just kidding you. . .I know you are not ready yet.

I have one that talks to you to tell you when its done... It's a Cook's Essentials 6 qt pressure canner I think my brother bought it from QVC he just thought since I was canning he would get me one. Pretty neat! And a water bath canner.

 

[Arielle]

THe 6 qt is great for a lot of every day cooking too!!

My new canner is 23 qt-- serious size but not so big it must sit on its own special burner outside. Today I ordered the extras-- needed DH CC as it wouldn't take mine for some reason, probably I remember the experiation date wrong. Paypal is much easier!!

Tomatos sauses are very easy to can using the water bath method. Everything else needs the pressure canner.

 

[Arielle]

My last poults are about a week old. I think I am finally done with hatching. What I mean is I hope the last eggs inthe incubator DON"T hatch.. I have had enough of raising chicks and poults this year.

Starting to think about the reshuffling for the winter months. ANd the down sizing. .. . . .

 

[chickadoodles]

THe 6 qt is great for a lot of every day cooking too!!

My new canner is 23 qt-- serious size but not so big it must sit on its own special burner outside. Today I ordered the extras-- needed DH CC as it wouldn't take mine for some reason, probably I remember the experiation date wrong. Paypal is much easier!!

Tomatos sauses are very easy to can using the water bath method. Everything else needs the pressure canner.

I canned some Sweet and spicy watermelon rinds and made my own relish and dill pickles, pickled okra. This year I did not can any vegies or anything other than my syrup. To busy! I don't have a family at home any longer so I think the 6 qt canner will be good for just us 2. Not sure about canning meat. Really it does not keep any longer than if I froze it and we have a couple of freezers and plenty of room. Do you have a recipe for turkey sausage? I might like to try that....
I am sure you will love your new canner and the size will be great for what you are wanting to do with it. Let us know how it goes!
Thanks, Chicka

 

[Arielle]

TUrkey sausage sounds good.

No recipes though. Ihave only roasted a turkey or made soup with the leftovers. Canning is new territory. Sausage making-- I read a book on sausage making and it has it's challenges . I don't have a smoker or a way to make dried sausages. Maybe a fresh sausage that can be stored in the freezer . . . ???

I have two freezers and theya re FULL. Need to expand storage options. ANd betweent he hurricane last year and the economy, I'm willing to put up more food just in case. I do share my baked chicken with the cats though . . . .the commercial dried cat foods seem to be lacking.

I think I read Oz made duck sausage . . . wonder if turkey can be subbed???

 

[chickadoodles]

My last poults are about a week old. I think I am finally done with hatching. What I mean is I hope the last eggs inthe incubator DON"T hatch.. I have had enough of raising chicks and poults this year.

Starting to think about the reshuffling for the winter months. ANd the down sizing. .. . . .

I am adding between 50-75 more chicks and poults this month! And We are working on the new run so we can make room for all the new additions. I am going to add breeding pens and a chick grow out pen. I am hoping that separating the hens and roos will help the hens accept the new chicks easier. There will be wire between them for awhile till they adjust to each other! I just hope it goes well! As I am not going to build another coop! Except the one I told DH about for one of my breeding pens!

 

[chickadoodles]

Everyones birds are so beautiful! Love them turkeys!

 

[chickadoodles]

TUrkey sausage sounds good.

No recipes though. Ihave only roasted a turkey or made soup with the leftovers. Canning is new territory. Sausage making-- I read a book on sausage making and it has it's challenges . I don't have a smoker or a way to make dried sausages. Maybe a fresh sausage that can be stored in the freezer . . . ???

I have two freezers and theya re FULL. Need to expand storage options. ANd betweent he hurricane last year and the economy, I'm willing to put up more food just in case. I do share my baked chicken with the cats though . . . .the commercial dried cat foods seem to be lacking.

I think I read Oz made duck sausage . . . wonder if turkey can be subbed???

Ok, just wondering. I told my hubby to talk to the butcher at our grocery and see if he would process some turkey for us before the holidays. We may have to see if he can make us some... I saw where Oz did make some duck sausage just not sure if the spices would be ok for turkey? lol