Young RP/Sweetgrass turkey poult surprisingly meaty.

[Denninmi]

One of the poults that I hatched almost exactly 2 months ago managed to do something to try to kill itself, I believe it caught its head in the mesh and opened a wound. The others may have contributed and pecked at it -- this happened while I was at work. It had exposed skull and was obviously suffering, so I dispatched it.

It was really only about the size of a small grocery store fryer in terms of bone structure, and of course, doesn't have the meatiness of a cornish cross chicken by any means. But, I was still surprised at how meaty it was, not bad for the size. I fried it up like chicken, and I have to tell you, it was excellent quality and flavor, extremely tender as one would think.

Cornish turkey, anyone. I wonder if this has ever been done?

 

[Oregon Blues]

That's good to know. I think I'd like to get as much size as possible, since the poults aren't cheap, but maybe it pencils out to make turkey fryers.

 

[Denninmi]

Quote:
Well, I've got 18 of these left now. They didn't cost me anything except the loss of a few omelets and th electricity to run the incubator for 4 weeks. Plus whatever feed they've eaten to this point.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

That's great to know. I plan on processing some poults I have come Thanksgiving, but they will only be around 20 weeks, not the 30 recommended, since there is only two of us to feed I am hoping they will be big enough.

 

[longranger]

From experience i can tell you that the toms will be plenty meaty and the hens less so at 20 weeks. Toms are about optimal at 30 weeks. I prefer to let hens go closer to a year for yield and extra eggs.