Who should I have for thanksgiving?

[Blue Legs]

Wondering if anyone has an opinion on who might make the best thanksgiving dinner this year. We will be deep frying the bird, if that influences anyones decision. Looking to choose the bird that ought to have the best flavor.

 

[R2elk]

Wondering if anyone has an opinion on who might make the best thanksgiving dinner this year. We will be deep frying the bird, if that influences anyone's decision. Looking to choose the bird that ought to have the best flavor.

The older hen will likely be the biggest carcass with the young tom being the next largest and the young hen being the smallest.

 

[Blue Legs]

They are all similar in size to within a few pounds. Will the breed have much influence on final quality or is a heritage turkey a turkey is a turkey assuming they have been eating the same food? I've been leaning towards the bourbon red tom based on things I've read but... have no experience to base an opinion on at this point.

 

[R2elk]

They are all similar in size to within a few pounds. Will the breed have much influence on final quality or is a heritage turkey a turkey is a turkey assuming they have been eating the same food? I've been leaning towards the bourbon red tom based on things I've read but... have no experience to base an opinion on at this point.

They are all the same breed which is Turkey. They are different varieties. What they are being fed has the biggest effect on what they will taste like.

The one detriment to taste and quality that I have found is that you do not want to process a hen turkey that is broody. Being broody takes a lot out of them and they require time and good feed to overcome it.