Processed Thanksgiving dinner today. (pics)

[TxCloverAngel]

Thought some people who have never seen it done or know the process might like to see how we do it. there are lots of pics.. but nothing too bloody (we used a processor, not done at home)

2007 Thanksgiving Turkeys Processed.

[BasicLiving]

Very nice narrative! I really like the way you approached it and explained it. I also like that you involve your children.

Bet that turkey will go very nicely with a big ol' slab of home made sour dough bread Even if it was started with milk.

Penny

[Horselover]

That was interesting. I had no idea you had a place to have the turkeys killed and processed. We used to raise turkeys years ago but they had to be killed the old fashioned way.
Must tell you--I don't know how you kept those turkeys in those blue drums. It would seem to me they would try flying out.
I know you will have the best tasteing turkey on your dinner plate Thanksgiving.

Happy Turkey Day! Joyce

[alpha phi]

That was wonderful!
A fun read, I really like the Thank you for.... part.

Thanks for sharing the joy.

[TxCloverAngel]

Penny.... oooh yes sourdough bread will be on the table for sure.. MILK started sourdough! lol

Joyce.... I am very lucky to have this processor in my area. I almost kissed him.. but his wife looked like she could throw a pretty mean punch, so I didn't.
These birds were too heavy to do much jumping out of anything... altho One of them decided he had to try.. that was interesting.

alpha phi.... I don't want my boys to view any killing as a thrill.. or fun... but it is a very real part of life and meat. we always say thank you to our animals before they become meat. We treat them with love and respect while we are raising them.. why not at death? My daughter (the little foreman in pink) even tells the worms we put on fishing hooks.. "Sorry worm... but your gonna help us get a big fishie!! Thanks!)

[BTO]

Originally Posted by TxCloverAngel

Thought some people who have never seen it done or know the process might like to see how we do it. there are lots of pics.. but nothing too bloody (we used a processor, not done at home)

2007 Thanksgiving Turkeys Processed.

What was the cost per bird?

[TxCloverAngel]

this place charges $7 per bird if you bring it in. They also sell animals for processing,, then (after you buy it from them) they do it really cheap.

[YounGrey]

Very cool as always.

[BasicLiving]

Originally Posted by TxCloverAngel

[I don't want my boys to view any killing as a thrill.. or fun... but it is a very real part of life and meat. we always say thank you to our animals before they become meat. We treat them with love and respect while we are raising them.. why not at death? My daughter (the little foreman in pink) even tells the worms we put on fishing hooks.. "Sorry worm... but your gonna help us get a big fishie!! Thanks!)

Amen sister. I feel the same way. Killing is never fun - but it is necessary if you eat meat, whether it is killed it is by your hand, or someone elses. The people I work with in the city seem to think the chicken/beef/pork/etc. grows out of the ground and is plucked up and served to them in the freezer section of the grocery store. When I mentioned raising chickens to eat, they freaked out. I asked them how they thought chicken ended up on their plate and they said "Well, at least I didn't have to kill it". I told them all they will starve to death when the SHTF - and they said "No we won't. We'll come to your house." I responded "You better be armed and willing to kill and rob me!" LOL!

I think you're doing a great job raising your kids to appreciate and love animals, and accept their death as part of the cycle of life and sustanence for their lives. Even if you do feed the poor little darlings that sour dough from milk starter

Penny

[red hott farmer]

Thanks for the great Narrative and link to your site.

[ArmyDoc]

So how much did the 47 pounder end-up weighing? I'm guessing 25 to 30 pounds? Wow, that's a BIG bird.

[TxCloverAngel]

Originally Posted by ArmyDoc

So how much did the 47 pounder end-up weighing? I'm guessing 25 to 30 pounds? Wow, that's a BIG bird.

33lbs!!! he is HUGE!!!

[Morning Owl]

Thanks that was great! I wish I had a meat processor here, I would raise more birds for the table if I did. Lucky you I'm jelous

[hengal]

Dana I have to say that is just cool. Thank you for sharing that. I have never seen anything like that and am glad to know that it happens so quickly and painlessly. I was told about a processor who is north of me and am considering raising meat birds next year if I can use him. For chickens he charges $2.00 a bird (at least this year he did). I'm not one for doing the killing myself but even I could handle this method.
Thanks again so much for the education and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy that Tom!!