Tagg's Turkeys
From paltry to poultry endeavours
After buying our turkeys from Kellybronze for several years, we decided, last year, to have a go at rearing some ourselves. It was a complete experiment. We knew nothing about rearing turkeys - or poultry of any kind!
From 10 day old chicks, we successfully reared 7 hens. The turkeys were delicious so, this year, we upped the ante and bought 21 day old chicks (3 stags and 18 hens).
Our Turkeys
Farmgate Hatcheries
We purchased our day old Kelly Bronze chicks from Farmgate Hatcheries - the breeding arm of Kelly Bronze. We selected the "Roly Poly" Kelly Bronze breed as it is a great all rounder and grew to the size that we wanted. The Kelly Bronze turkey is, according to The House of Bruar widely regarded as the "..preferred bird of choice for everyone from celebrity chefs to home cooks alike."
Food
The day old chicks are kept under a heat lamp for the first 6 weeks of their lives and eat a high protein crumb. Between weeks 6 and 10, we introduced a rearer's pellet before moving them on to grower's pellets. By the time they get to grower's pellets they also get to enjoy the apples that fall into their pasture. This lot also enjoyed the cast-off plums that weren't used to make jam!
In their final weeks we introduce oats to their diet.
Cooking your turkey
Rule number 1: Buy a meat themometer
Rule number 2: Buy a meat thermometer
These girls cook quickly because of the intramuscular fat that is not present in commercial turkeys.
We dry pluck our turkeys (just like Kelly Bronze) so, apparently, they don't need to be brined..but I still brine mine! It's really easy so why not.
Payment
There is no formal pricing. Marcus (aged 15) has been helping to contribute to a school trip which is now not going to happen.
Our account details are S J Tagg, 40-47-82 90593060
Collection
Turkeys will be ready to collect later on the 23rd December.
Directions to follow.