Turkeys For 2013

[TamTurkey]

ALso keep in mind that to sell for less money than it costs to raise the bird does not educate the buying public on the expense and work that went into these birds. THe commercially produced birds are the LEAST expensive at this time of year. I will be guilty of buying a few butterballs when they go on sale because they are worth the price.

Yup feeding the homegrown bird is getting too expensive for what I get back out of it-- until I can develop a better free ranging for food situation.

Pelleted grain is eaily running $17-20 for 50#. ANd the pricesaare going UP because the grain is going over seas. I'm really concerned by how much we are dependent on the midwest grain belt when the grain is not kept here for our use in AMerica. We subsidize these producers, so why should we deal with higher prices when the grain is shipped outof the country.

I need to can and freeze a few more birds.

Look for your local Co-Op or Brewery. Co-ops are cheaper and most will give rebates at the end of the year for members. Or a local brewery will give you or sell cheap their "spent" grains and you can mix them with a bag a feed they have been fermented already so they have a lot of "gut" goodness! Also fermenting the feed makes less waste so you might want to try that. Good luck.

 

[racinchickins]

Has anyone here ever deep fried a heritage turkey? My family wants to try deep frying one, and I know that you roast heritage birds differently than butterballs. Would I have to deep fry one differently also? If so, what has worked?

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

ALso keep in mind that to sell for less money than it costs to raise the bird does not educate the buying public on the expense and work that went into these birds. THe commercially produced birds are the LEAST expensive at this time of year. I will be guilty of buying a few butterballs when they go on sale because they are worth the price. 

Yup  feeding the homegrown bird is getting too expensive for what I get back out of it-- until I can develop a better free ranging   for food situation. 

Pelleted grain is eaily running $17-20 for 50#.

True. And this time of year turkeys are FREE at the grocery store if you buy enough groceries. I can't compete with that, but plenty of people think I should. We've been debating this issue a lot lately ... even with egg customers, who often lead with complaints about grocery store prices for specialty eggs and expect me to agree.

In my area poultry food is expensive. Turkey starter was a tricky item. And expensive.

I won't buy a butterball, but I likely will have plenty of my own birds to tide me over. I hate selling stuff. Hate it.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THe bright reds and greens and the warm tones of the BR-- great photo!!

We have become rediculously picky food consumers-- all picture perfect, and I really don't understand the waste of these melons. I"m sure the fellow knows his business, so your boon.

After all the work I put into my garden a few blemishes, or more, do not sway me-- it gets eaten. lol

I buy directly from the mill-- the price bounce every week reflecting the cost by the car load, think train car load. WHen I order I get to talk to the person who pays those bills-- soy is over $500/T the highest ever, or at least a long time. THat is the person who keeps me up to date on the near future prices that I will be paying directly from the mill. MInimum custom mix is 3tons. Purina will no longer delv bulk. THis mill was expecting the prices to go down with the harvest of a really good harvest. BUt apparently that is not happening. I don't know why the difference as PA is not that far from here but perhaps the prices reflect the cost of shipping.

 

[Arielle]

Has anyone here ever deep fried a heritage turkey? My family wants to try deep frying one, and I know that you roast heritage birds differently than butterballs. Would I have to deep fry one differently also? If so, what has worked?

I have wondered this too--- BIL is frying a bird for THanksgiving this year. Sorry I don't have an answer for you. Usually low and slow works for the heritage birds. Maybe hot and fast works too . . .after it has comes out of rigor.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I will have to ask my BIL about breweries-- he loves a good beer so he will know all the local ones. Up to now he has only mentioned the ones in the BOston area.

I wonder how to find a co-op??

 

[TamTurkey]

I will have to ask my BIL about breweries-- he loves a good beer so he will know all the local ones. Up to now he has only mentioned the ones in the BOston area.

I wonder how to find a co-op??

https://www.google.com/#q=Cooperative grain feed Massachusetts

I don't know where you live... the power of google!

Also buy buying at your local coop you are supporting local farmers so less of our grains are exported! I get show feed that from Purina is $28 a bag at my co-op the same ingredients are $12 a bag!

 

[piglett]

True. And this time of year turkeys are FREE at the grocery store if you buy enough groceries. I can't compete with that, but plenty of people think I should. We've been debating this issue a lot lately ... even with egg customers, who often lead with complaints about grocery store prices for specialty eggs and expect me to agree.

In my area poultry food is expensive. Turkey starter was a tricky item. And expensive.

I won't buy a butterball, but I likely will have plenty of my own birds to tide me over.

I hate selling stuff. Hate it.

here is the thing the huge company with 10,000 turkeys buy their feed by the truckload
where are you going to store 48,000lbs of feed???
i can't do it & i'm guessing you can't either
so if i try selling turkeys next year i will not be loking to sell to the "butterball croud"
i'll be looking to sell to people who want a farm raised bird
& are willing to pay for one.




piglett
wolfeboro,NH

 

[Arielle]

Piglet, you are right the customer that buys farm raised is a different customer completely. DOn't give in and sell for less than the cost right?

I have a person next to me sell eggs for 2.25 then my eggs are 100 feet away for 4.00. But mine are free ranged and guarded by roosters and grabbed by hawks, coyote, fox and now racoons. I have a higher cost base. I HATE hwen customers only leave me $2 in the self serve!!

 

[piglett]

Piglet, you are right the customer that buys farm raised is a different customer completely. DOn't give in and sell for less than the cost right?

I have a person next to me sell eggs for 2.25 then my eggs are 100 feet away for 4.00. But mine are free ranged and guarded by roosters and grabbed by hawks, coyote, fox and now racoons. I have a higher cost base. I HATE hwen customers only leave me $2 in the self serve!!

freerange eggs demand more money
if they want $2 eggs they should go to the store & buy 2 month old eggs there
your taste better & are fresh
i think i would add a little sign at the self serve
make it sound as nice as you can but make sure they get the point