Anyone had a free range turkey before?

[Mom2Em]

Mom ordered one for Thanksgiving. The gentleman told her it has a different taste because of the way it was raised and because it has never been frozen...
Thanks!

 

[Robindianne]

I did last year. It was a stronger flavor (slightly) but mostly it was just moister and less bulky if I remember right.

 

[Papa Deuce]

As above. I "guess" it was better. I know I wasn't blown away.

 

[frndofpooh]

As above. I "guess" it was better. I know I wasn't blown away.

Agreed. I was expecting more from it.

 

[bicker]

Unfortunately, "free range" is a very lightly-regulated advertising moniker. The poultry needs to have "access to open space" but there is no minimum requirment for how much access each bird is allowed -- it can be as little as a few minutes and the law will be satisifed. Since it is less expensive to raise poultry caged, the tendancy has been for commercial purveyors of "free range" poultry to reduce the amount of "free range" time to contain costs. If you're going to pay a premium for "free range" poultry, you really would need to have a very strong sense of trust with not only your retailer, but with the entire supply chain from the farm. Otherwise, you could end up paying extra for practically nothing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had one once--but it was 6 years ago--the only time we hosted Thanksgiving (I didn't want to travel with a new baby).

It was quite delicious and very fresh. I am sure it did test different..more like you are getting the bird yourself than one that has been frozen and injected and such.

We bought ours at Wild Oats and they provide literature on the meats they obtain. It has been so long that I don't remember everything about it. I do believe it was an organic turkey as well.

 

[Lynn CC]

I bought one from Whole Foods again this year.
No antibiotics, all vegetarian diet, no animal by-products
Free Range, I put it in the roaster pan (covered), then uncover at the end until it browns up. It's nice an moist when done! Everyone seems to enjoy them, as I make them often.
It was $1.99lb, vrs. 59Cents lb. that I could of spent on a turkey at Stop & Shop. I always buy organic, healthy foods and spend more for my family. Each week I buy organic everything, no red meat, make lots of homemade soups etc. I hope it pays off!
Hope you enjoy your turkey

 

[Hercules10]

Nuttin beats Wild Turkey.

 

[ducklite]

I find it too gamey tasting for my likes. But then again I'm not a huge fan of turkey anyhow.

Anne

 

[DisnyMama]

I heard the same thing from Alton Brown (one of his shows this past week) about just how much "free range" the turkeys really get. I found it rather interesting. This may be a silly question but is there such thing as "Kosher" turkey and if so, are they raised differently? I just recently discovered the difference in how animals are killed for kosher meat vs our reg. grocery store meat and I wish I could buy all kosher meats. I'm not jewish but I like the way they "treat" there food.