Let's Talk BBQ

OTHER HOBBIES => OTHER HOBBIES => Topic started by: SmokinKat on October 25, 2016, 06:31:57 PM

Title: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: SmokinKat on October 25, 2016, 06:31:57 PM
James and I have a little three acre hobby farm here in Oregon, and one of my favorite parts is having FRESH fresh turkey for Thanksgiving.  Looking through some pictures and just wanted to share some of the things we'll be giving thanks for!!

Of course, as is my M.O.,  I didn't really pencil out when to buy the baby turkeys to have them ready for butchering JUST before Thanksgiving, so got them a too early.   

These guys gonna be HUGE by next month!!! 

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/20161011_171534_zpsg43t7r21.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/20161011_171534_zpsg43t7r21.jpg.html)

Did the same thing last year, and I think our heaviest clocked it at over 40 lbs post-butchering.   I obviously learned my lesson!  ::) ::)  Butchering is going to be quite the task, but it's worth the extra work!

Here's a shot of our farm last Spring, looking out from the back porch where we have the barbecues.  Not a bad place to sit back and enjoy a beer while we're cooking, I'll tell ya!  :) 

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/farm_zps7buhrc7c.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/farm_zps7buhrc7c.jpg.html)

Sitting out there with James always fills me with gratitude.  So SO much to be thankful for, including the big @$$ turkeys!  :)
We also just had some new baby duckies hatch, which is always exciting. 

(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/duckies_zpszeiybfpa.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/duckies_zpszeiybfpa.jpg.html)
   
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: Smokin Don on October 25, 2016, 06:52:13 PM
It would be good to have fresh turkey for TG!!! A great view you have!!! Don
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: hikerman on October 25, 2016, 07:10:16 PM
You have a beautiful homestead Kat! Oh what I would give for one of those BIG drumsticks! :P
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: Tailgating is my game on October 25, 2016, 08:03:32 PM
You have a great place & enough turkey to feed us all ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: teesquare on October 25, 2016, 08:08:07 PM
My vote is for a Northwest Gathering  at Kat's house!!!! :D :D :D Plenty of meat on the hoof...or foot of some sort.... 8)
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: spuds on October 26, 2016, 02:57:03 AM
Very nice Kat! Yup,those turkeys grow so fast.10 weeks and it was freezer camp at our place.
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: Cajunate on October 26, 2016, 08:30:26 AM
Very cool!
What do you do.... skin or pluck 'em?
Not for Thanksgiving but I have some hens(chickens of course)that have stopped laying so it's about stew time for them.
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: muebe on October 26, 2016, 09:57:18 AM
I got a local butcher who can get fresh turkey's but they ain't cheap!

I got a fresh turkey breast from him and the taste was amazing!

You are very blessed Kat.
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: TMB on October 26, 2016, 10:01:19 AM
You are blessed to live on a farm.    Most folks don't understand farm life, but once  you give it a try I can't see going back to the city.

We live in the middle of 1,800 + acres and I wouldn't trade it for anything

OBTW, good looking birds ;)
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: Tailgating is my game on October 26, 2016, 11:42:58 AM
You are blessed to live on a farm.   


Not in baseball Tommy   ;) ;) ;) ;) :D :D :D :D

No it must be amazing
Title: Re: Getting stoked for Thanksgiving!!
Post by: SmokinKat on October 26, 2016, 02:17:22 PM
Very cool!
What do you do.... skin or pluck 'em?
Not for Thanksgiving but I have some hens(chickens of course)that have stopped laying so it's about stew time for them.

For old hens I don't want to spend much time on, I'll skin them and just cut them apart (avoids plucking OR messing with the innards).  It's more wasteful since you lose the back, but for the old biddies that are going to be shoe leather anyway, it's worth it to me to have it go much faster!  :) Still end up with breasts, thighs, legs and wings, so it's not too bad.

For the turkeys (and young meat birds), we scald and pluck them.  Due to a husband that's just a teensy bit prone to fainting at the sight of blood, I used to be on my own for the entire process, but James and I put together a chicken plucker of sorts, and he's not too queasy about doing that part.  Helps SO much to have someone else!!! 

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/plucker_zpshfv9dimy.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/plucker_zpshfv9dimy.jpg.html)


And thanks, everyone, we love our little farm, and can't imagine going back to city living after this place!!   Lots of work to keep it going, but worth the work!  Look forward to retiring in a few decades so I can enjoy it more!