Lesley Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 Turkeys: The 4 turkeys were growing well and were quite happy but they only had a little grass left. We have nowhere else to move them to as everywhere is very soggy. This factor and also the fact that the weather could get a lot worse helped us to decide that the turkeys needed to be despatched sooner rather than later. We send them to the next farm to be pucked and they will be very busy in the run up to Christmas. Carl did the deed last Wednesday and he and my son took them to the brewery to hang for a couple of days. I'm not fond of gamey flavours so didn't want to leave them too long (it doesn't matter what anyone else might like ) They went to be plucked on Friday and were brought back in the afternoon. They were weighed and packaged and frozen. Then Carl became paranoid "We can't sell turkey to people if we haven't tried it ourselves - what if we poison people" So.......... on Saturday we took the spare turkey out of the freezer to defrost and we roasted it yesterday. It was lovely! No flabby white meat on our turkey! The breast meat was pale but firm and had a wonderful flavour. There is plenty of meat on the legs and thighs as well. We did roast potatoes and parsnip around the turkey. We weren't ill in the night - we're still here this morning If I suddenly disappear then you'll know why ...................... I didn't really want to be eating turkey two weeks before Christmas so this morning I have sliced all the breast meat, made today's sandwiches, and frozen 7 packs, picked over the carcass and made up two bags of dark meat for casseroles and the carcass is simmering away to make stock, which will also be frozen. There is a big dishful of skin and s"Ooops, word censored!"s for the outdoor cats, some sliced turkey for tomorrows sandwiches and a bowl of pieces to make a casserole for the next couple of days. I hope we're not sick of turkey by Christmas We have one for us for the day and two which are going to good homes (not mentioning names but the people concerned can reveal who they are if they want to ) We also have one chicken ready to go It wasn't our intention to sell frozen birds but we're pleased with the way things have turned out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 I'm looking forward to collecting my chook Lesley - he's a handsome bird and doesn't fit in my freezer! Rosie is slightly worried that she will recognise it or something and the first thing she said when I told her we were getting a roaster from you was.... 'it's not Herbert is it?' I am looking forward to enjoying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 Missing Chick and two newbies!: On Saturday, one of Attila the Hen's chicks escaped. The new chicks haven't all had their wings clipped - we have to catch them first It was outside the run,happily pecking away. We had to go out so I laid a trail of corn into a spare run and turned off the electric fence. When we got back at 4.30 it was getting dark, we checked with a torch but couldn't see it anywhere. We lost one of the turkeys in the same way and next morning it was still outside and we caught it. This time, there was no chick in the morning . There weren't any feathers around either so we are hoping that the chick has joined the pheasants in the next field and hoping it doesn't follow them onto the main road It is half grown but we don't know whether it was a cock or a hen bird. Earlier in the week I had contacted the agent where we buy the Meadowsweet layers. We had bought one of their new white egg layers. We had to wait months before all 9 hens in that group laid an egg on the same day and when they did.............. she didn't lay a white egg I wondered if Meadowsweet have the same problem that they do with the Heritage Skyline in that only 70% of them lay a blue egg. Jude got back to me to say she had sold lots through the summer and no-one else had a problem although Meadowsweet do say that they don't all lay a white egg. She had 2 left and I could have them at a reduced price. Well..................................... I couldn't say no could I? We went to collect them yesterday and she had a cockerel she wanted me to have - I did manage to say no to him but he was a beautiful bird, a Skyline. We introduced them to the group of 7 layers in with Blue the cockerel - few problems when there is a resident cockerel. I'm just waiting now to see whether the newbies will lay a white egg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 I'm looking forward to collecting my chook Lesley - he's a handsome bird and doesn't fit in my freezer! Rosie is slightly worried that she will recognise it or something and the first thing she said when I told her we were getting a roaster from you was.... 'it's not Herbert is it?' I am looking forward to enjoying it. Herbert is still running around so she will be able to see him when you come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 That's good Lesley It wasn't that little legbar that i like that you lost was it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 I'm looking forward to collecting my chook Lesley - he's a handsome bird and doesn't fit in my freezer! Rosie is slightly worried that she will recognise it or something and the first thing she said when I told her we were getting a roaster from you was.... 'it's not Herbert is it?' I am looking forward to enjoying it. I have had a similar reaction from my children - 'Eugh! we don't want to know where the turkey came from. And we saw the baby turkeys too' I keep saying 'surely you'd prefer to know for sure that the bird you're eating really had a very happy life? Even better than buying organic from a large producer.' Fortunately DD2 has just been shown a video about animal welfare at school. She was already aware of course, but said that some of the things she saw were truly horrific. Many of her friends have become vegetarian overnight! And she is completely sold on buying well-cared for meat. I'm glad to hear the turkey tastes fab! And Carl can rest easy now, assured that we're all going to happily make it through to 2007! p.s. as a result of the talking about knowing where your food comes from, the children have started asking me if I'll be tasting Lesley's turkey. I've only got as far as saying I am quite happy with what Lesley and Carl are doing - growing their own meat - but I'm not quite sure where to start questioning myself about my future diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 Speed reading again Clare? It was one of Attila the Hen's babies - a black one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Sorry didn't hear that bit - a bit deaf today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 p.s. as a result of the talking about knowing where your food comes from, the children have started asking me if I'll be tasting Lesley's turkey. I've only got as far as saying I am quite happy with what Lesley and Carl are doing - growing their own meat - but I'm not quite sure where to start questioning myself about my future diet. That's exactly how I started Ginette Sourcing local meat for Carl instead of using supermarket Free Range..................... a taste of chicken here............ a small slice of bacon................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 We weren't ill in the night - we're still here this morning If I suddenly disappear then you'll know why ...................... . I hope they're ok! Or I'll be ill for holiday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 I'm still here Martin - so's Carl I'll inflict some on my son tomorrow and see if he becomes ill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Slightly reassuring then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 You could take down a lot of omlet regulars if you turkey wasn't OK Are you sure Carl didn't just fancy a nice roast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 Probably We could call it our Christmas 'Do' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 I'm just waiting now to see whether the newbies will lay a white egg Somebody has just laid a blue egg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Ooooo, how exciting I wonder who it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Are they meant to lay blue eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 Ooooo, how exciting I wonder who it is No - not exciting - the two newbies are supposed to lay white eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 get a pure leghorn Lesley they ALL lay white eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 13, 2006 Author Share Posted December 13, 2006 I'll probably end up with another Whitestar - more chickens You won't be able to see us for chicken poo soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 What an interesting mental picture that conjures up !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 It's getting a bit like that here and we only have 8 chickens karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 13, 2006 Author Share Posted December 13, 2006 What an interesting mental picture that conjures up !! As you know, I only work away from home on a Wednesday - I'm always quite surprised if I get there and I haven't got chicken dirt down my coat or on my skirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Ah Lesley you always are the height of style and sophisication, they all be wearing it next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
