Turkeys Are Done!

Isn't that just beautiful!?
Gorgeous!

This is Aaron Cookson from Red Dirt Ranch.

He is a dear friend who butchers

like an artist.

Many, many thanks to him for coming out

and making the day a breeze and

giving us a fantastic product.

See.. I couldn't have done this by hand

for love or money. Especially not with the great results the plucker gets.

A bird is done in mere seconds. Wow.

Getting cleaned up and ready for a wrap.

Ta Da!!!

Look at how nicely he did the legs.

You learn something new every day..if you are lucky.

All but 7 of the birds are done and those can wait until

Christmas.

The yard will seeem a bit lonely to me without my sweet boys.

I was very glad I could opt out of the deed itself.

It was a bit sad and usually I have no problem.

I really loved the turkeys.

I am very, very proud to be able to share them with others.

They will look wonderful as a centerpiece of a blessings laden table.

November Down Home..

Well..here they are..
the very last pics of the turkeys.

Monday the 16th is butcher day.

Not all are slated for freezer camp

and I will have some left for Christmas

but the majority will be gracing tables

on the 26th.

I am proud of them and count our first year

of heritage breed turkeys as a success.

There will be more turkeys..many more

as I have loved having them in the yard.
And I am a wee bit sad at the thought of

slaughter. They really are like large dogs

in their affection and loyalty.

Gosh! Aren't they beautiful.

I just love them,

but you all know that already.

And here are some bold new additions..

They are meat birds, broilers, that were allowed to mature.

I got them from a fellow farmer and will use them to breed

large, scrumptious meat birds of my very own.

I know they look like chickens, but believe when I tell you they are

something entirely different.

They are HUGE and heavy..oh my!

Once they are back up to prime form and good health
and start to lay I will toss in a few choice roosters

and see what we will get. I have great hopes.

Some of my younger birds are starting to lay.

Check out that huge egg on top.

That was her first effort.

Oh, the squalling from the laying box with that one!~

Poor girl. But no blood on the egg etc..

so it did no permanent damage.

What a way to begin...

Kepp an eye out for an entry about turkey butchering.

I am not doing, but a traveling butcher is coming

for the task. Good friend and great guy.