As with most meats, there is a wide range in how turkeys are raised, and this will determine whether your meal is memorable or not. This article should provide you with the knowledge necessary to select a high-quality bird that becomes one of the highlights of Christmas Day when cooked properly and wisely.
I maintain that pigs and turkeys are my favorite animals to spend time with because of their amusing and mischievous personalities, based on my experiences visiting many farms. Although I acknowledge that all farm animals are sentient beings, some are more attuned to their environment than others, and turkeys are especially attuned They require careful management and stimulation to maintain their mental and physical well-being because they are intelligent animals and are very inquisitive.
Chicken farming practices are very similar in turkey farming, and the young birds even have a similar appearance. Baby turkeys are called poults. Around a month after being laid, they hatch, at which point heat lamps are used to keep them warm. They are relocated into heated barns (or occasionally tents) as they grow, and as their feathers develop, the temperature in the barn gradually drops to make up for it.
Depending on the brand or retailer the turkey is intended for, the life the turkey leads will change significantly. The most inexpensive, unlucky turkeys will spend their entire lives in dim, crowded barns, never seeing daylight. On the other end of the spectrum, the fortunate people reside in forests, get plenty of exercise, and are constantly surrounded by stimulating people. The price of the turkey will typically reflect the different lives that each one has led.
Reasonably priced “commercial” turkeys are raised in dark, crowded barns. Low lighting prevents them from fighting out of boredom, crowded conditions guarantee low lodging costs for the producer, and lack of exercise causes the birds to gain weight more quickly, further lowering production costs.
Any less than higher-welfare turkey would not be recommended by Jamie and his culinary team. RSPCA Approved in the UK or Australia or Certified Humane in the USA would serve as examples of this. As a result, the barn is much larger, the air quality is carefully controlled, and the birds have enrichment like perches that allow them to express their natural behaviors, which lowers stress levels.
However, the turkey we really urge people to purchase is free-range. Because turkeys are naturally very curious and require stimulation, access to the outdoors is crucial. The best birds come from farms where there is plenty of space and pasture or forest areas for them to explore, despite the fact that the quality of the free-range space can vary. Free-range poultry typically grows more slowly, giving them better flavor, more muscle fat, and a better, firmer texture. Because of this, free-range turkeys cook more effectively and are less likely to become dry.
Paul Kelly and one of his multi-award winning birds
Our opinion is that producers like Kelly’s Turkeys produce the best turkey. This is due to three things they do that are unheard of for turkey farmers. To start, they only use turkeys from a traditional heritage breed that can be identified by their black feathers and allow them to reach full maturity. The ultimate in free-range living, their turkeys reside in roomy tents in a forest where they can play on climbing frames, socialize, and even scavenge for grubs, berries, and nettles. Thirdly, they are dry aged after being killed humanely, which allows the flavor and texture to develop in a way that is never possible in more industrial systems.
We always advise purchasing the best animal products you can afford and emphasizing quality over quantity. The welfare of the birds and the farming practices have a direct bearing on the flavor and quality of the meat from turkeys. Once you’ve tried a premium free-range bird, you probably won’t want to try anything else again. And all the more reason to upgrade to something more special if you do only buy a turkey for Christmas once a year!
What is the difference between Organic and Free-Range?
Both varieties of turkeys are raised in “free-range” settings, where they are permitted to forage freely throughout designated farmland areas and have open henhouses where they can spend the night (there are no claustrophobic, uninhabitable cages that result in a poor quality of life and meat).
The feed that the turkey receives varies over the course of its life:
Organic Turkeys are fed 100% Organic Feed whereas Free Range turkeys are fed on home grown cereals and vegetable protein sources
According to the strict guidelines of the British Traditional Farmfresh Turkey Association (TFTA), neither variety is ever given antibiotics or additives to promote growth.
The price of raising organic turkeys is typically around £100 more expensive per tonne than raising free-range turkeys, which is reflected in the final price that the consumer will pay.
In the end, some consumers choose organic products not just because they like them but also because they believe in them.
To cover the higher cost of feed compared to what Morton’s charges for a free-range turkey ($55), we would have to charge ($65) for an organic bird.
Local poultry ranches are typically smaller businesses that give their animals better care. Even though they aren’t certified organic, many employ free-range and organic practices. Call the farmer in advance to get more information if you want to keep your meal local.
If purchasing a free-range or organic bird is important to you, choosing a smaller size will allow you to save some money. Yes, fewer leftovers will result from this, but most people purchase far more turkey than they actually need. In this case, youd be splurging on quality, not quantity.
Other labels for poultry include “natural,” “grass-fed,” and “no added hormones”; use our eco-friendly label decoder to understand these labels.
Pay close attention to the labels on fresh or frozen poultry, or request more information from your butcher or neighborhood farmer. If you decide to buy a free-range or organic turkey, you should order it right away (if you haven’t already).
Free-range turkeys are popular because they are raised with access to outdoor space so they can roam; many people think this results in better-tasting meat. Additionally, since these turkeys are not kept in filthy, cramped quarters, farmers are able to earn extra points with food advocates. Additionally, farmers don’t give these turkeys hormones or antibiotics, and they are fed higher-quality food.
You know this turkey. Every year around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the winter holidays, your supermarket has a freezer full of these enormous birds. Because they are typically large and affordable, it is simple to feed the entire family. When you spend money on other items, some stores will even give them to you!
The issue with turkeys that are raised conventionally is that they may be overly watery. As a result, your turkey may end up being “steamed” during cooking. This results in a dryer turkey. Conventionally raised turkeys also consume antibiotics. Antibiotic-containing foods may contribute to antibiotic resistance, so some people have tried to avoid them in recent years. Antibiotic-treatable diseases are now evolving and becoming resistant, and some theorize that this is partly because the same antibiotics that are used to treat human illnesses are also used to keep animals from becoming ill in factory farms.
People who prefer a healthier option frequently search for free-range poultry. These turkeys were raised outdoors, as opposed to being confined in cramped cages on a crowded factory farm. They moved around a lot. They got the chance to forage for their own food.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of turkey and what they have to offer so you can decide which one should be on your holiday dinner table.
Free-range turkey advocates contend that raising poultry in this manner yields meat with better flavor. Even though these turkeys may end up being smaller than the traditional Thanksgiving bird, they will still taste much better. These are considerably more expensive than regular turkeys, but if you want a more flavorful meal, a free-range turkey might be worthwhile.