Are turkeys more difficult to butcher than chickens?

Question

Like to try my hand at it but not sure if it's worth the fight. I love turkey meat and it seems like it would be easier to raise turkeys and get a bigger return but chickens are more docile?

Answer 1

We've had both chickens and turkeys (and guinea fowl) and frankly, chickens are easier to keep than any of them.  They're not as aggressive at butchering time, they will come in out of the rain, they can get as large as a small turkey if you feed them well and let them free range some.  Ours were about 15# at butchering.  We took them to a local chicken processor, but it's not that difficult to do it yourself once you figure out how to pluck and singe off the feathers.

But if you really like turkey better than chicken, try a small flock.

Answer 2

all of the above and they ar stupid because when it rains they open their mouths and look up to see the rain and drown in their own body

Answer 3

I'd have to say yes from experience because Turkeys are larger, so there is more cutting and gutting involved.

Answer 4

Are you just talking about a couple birds a month for your own family use.

Or in a commercial interprise.

If just a couple for your family.

Not a big extra time hassle difference vs. chicken when slaughtering.

But still have some chickens around,

for meat and eggs, smaller practical size

If you have extra birds, can just sell live, and avoid the strict State and USDA requirements.

Answer 5

yea they are...it is alot more work being they are larger animals...

Answer 6

they are the same just bigger which for me is easier to clean turkey  chicken are more aggressive birds

Answer 7

Once they are dead they are both easy, just factor in size difference. Up until then, chickens are easier to handle and are much more docile. Turkeys on the other hand can be aggressive much like geese and canibalism is a big issue with them. Like you I prefer turkey meat over chicken, but chickens are so much easier to raise.

Answer 8

yes very difficult, their big, nasty, strong birds

Answer 9

I think chickens are easier to raise, turkeys get so fat they are slow, and they are hard to chase into a coop if they are out during ths day, with processing, i think they are they same as a chicken, except a lot bigger,  just give it a try, and if you dont like it, dont do it again next year, thats the best way, hands on experience!

Answer 10

They are certainly more valuable to raise, although I am not sure about the butchering process.

You can read an interesting history of raising turkeys, and why they are a traditional American food, right here:

http://www.slate.com/id/2178388/fr/rss/