Let's talk turkey

buckeye2

Both my dad and my husband made their living off of turkeys. My dad started a feed business to feed livestock and then started growing out turkeys. At that time most turkeys were raised in a barn until they got big and then were finished on the range. The turkeys were either black or white. Eventually the black turkeys were eliminated because they had a purple cast through the meat that the consumer didn't like. The turkey business grew as grain farmers needed livestock to supplement their income. Now all turkeys are raised in barns. The farmer owns the barns and takes care of the birds. The company started by my dad owns the birds. I don't know the exact number of birds raised by this company but it is in the millions. All turkeys are started artificially because they now have too big of breasts to get the job done if you know what I mean. They grow to about 50 lbs so you won't find one of these in your oven today as most turkeys are processed for the sliced meat rather than for the whole bird. My husband's job was to travel from farm to farm seeing that conditions were optimal for growing out the birds. When chemo started he had to stop as the diseases carried by the birds could've sacrificed his health. We also were part owner of two turkey farms, one of which we just sold. My picture is our middle daughter a few years ago standing in one of our barns. Now you know everything about turkeys but were afraid to ask. Lisa

maglets

Lisa
why thank you Lisa....my husband is an agricultural journalist so i enjoyed the turkey piece enormously....thank you so much.

I love turkey ...and as you know we Canadians had ours a few weeks ago so i am getting ready for that yummy Christmas bird. We live in a rural area so we can get a fresh bird from our butcher.....

have a great holiday all my American friends.....

maggie

plh4gail

Thank you Lisa...Happy
Thank you Lisa...Happy Thanksgiving Gail

here4lfe

Thanks
It's always interesting to hear how others make their living. I'll raise a Turkey Leg today in honor of your family.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Best to you.

laurettas

A history of turkey!
How great to hear your story, Lisa!

I know what you mean about getting the job done. We buy chicks and raise the turkeys ourselves and a couple of times didn't get a tom butchered until he had reached puberty. Not good for the poor hens. We felt terrible!! We raise our turkeys on barley and milk from our cow. Now we can grow our own barley so everything is organic. We got some turkeys from Jake's sister that is a smaller breed to try to totally raise our own. First year was a bust since only one chick hatched and it died but we hope for better next year. His sister lets them free range and has great luck getting them to hatch but the babies usually get eaten by predators.

Thanks for the story and have a great Thanksgiving!

Annabelle41415

Interesting
Thank you for sharing that with us. The biggest turkey we could ever find was 24 lbs, but don't think I'd want to cook a 50 pounder. Very interesting. Happy Thanksgiving.

Kim

LAF53

Thanks
I thoroughly enjoyed your story. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lydia

tommycat

Love this story! Can only
Love this story! Can only imagine walking through the turkey barn or the fields where they roam. Our is a free range little guy---he would be the runt of your litter at 14 lbs.
Little tidbit of our Thanksgiving: Since I am hosting the feast this year, and since I love stuffing, we are having four different kids: traditional, mushroom/butternut, oyster and cornbread and chroizo.
Enjoy your Holiday~

karen40

Interesting
Thanks for the story.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Karen