Question about processing (wrapping, freezing, etc) a turkey...

[ChanceRider]

I have yet to raise some meat birds, but DH is a hunter and I don't have a clue about how to freeze a turkey. I'm hoping someone will give me a few pointers...

How do you wrap the bird for freezing? (I have a FoodSaver, but unfortuneatly the bags won't accomodate anything bigger than a smallish chicken.)

Do you let turkeys "rest" in the refridgerator for 24 hours before freezing? (I've read that people do this with chickens, which helps keep the meat from being tough?)

I appreciate any tips you can provide.... I don't want to ruin a good bird!

 

[sandspoultry]

We rest a whole turkey for about 3 or 4 days depending on the size. We don't have a vacume sealer...yet so we do it the old way. Wrap the bird in about 3 layers of streach wrap, make sure it covers the whole bird. Then wrap in 2 layers of freezer paper, 2 layers of streach wrap over that.

Steve in NC

 

[ChanceRider]

Thanks Steve... I really wasn't sure about how long to let the bird rest before popping it into the freezer. I wound up using three layers of freezer wrap and plastic bags. I think DH plans on cooking this one for Thanksgiving so it won't be in the freezer long. Come spring I hope to be raising our own Bourbon Reds and Midget Whites... c'mon spring!

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
You will like the Midgets, they are the best tasting turkey we think. We where going to have one for Thanksgiving but we decided on a Bourbon Red instead. The BR is more filled out so the Midget will wait for Christmas.

Steve in NC

 

[jvls1942]

I finally got my flock of royal palms to a comfortable number to where I think we could butcher one..
with the new one this morning we have 26.. only 1 pair of adults..

some of the keets are getting to be as large as their mother..

does it pay to bother doing like a 10 pounder?? we have only four really old people to feed..

 

[becky3086]

My goodness, you had to wait until you had 26 to butcher one? lol. I say if you want a 10 lb one go ahead and do a 10 lb one. It is one of the good things about raising your own, choosing when and how large a bird you want to butcher.
Becky

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

We just split the bird in half then sucky seal it in the largest vacume bags we can get. If the bags are to small I'll cut the breast off for one bag, legs and wings in another. That way its closer to serving size when we want some without havign to cook a whole bird.

 

[jvls1942]

Yes Becky, it took us three seasons to get to this point of having surplus turkeys.. Loooong story..

zero hatch for ebay eggs, foxes wiped out a whole batch of week olds in one raid.. the first hen laid nothing but soft shelled eggs, and not even too many of those..and an underground electric cable burning out and ruining all 300 assorted goose, turkey and chicken eggs in the bator..

24 of the 26 are all offspring of the one hen we finally raised from a chick we bought from MMcM last year..

I am not killing anything until I have3 hens laying..

 

[becky3086]

Wow, makes me want to think twice about raising turkeys, lol. I guess, I can see now why you waited until you had 26. I thought about buying eggs but had heard they are fairly fragile. Thinking about just getting chicks instead now.
Anyone know what hatcheries will send you a mix of chicks that includes turkey? I saw a mix at Ideal, I think it was but I really don't want ducks.
Becky

 

[Cason]

I got mine (turkeys) from Cackle Hatchery. They pack 'em with the chicks..