[ukag0972]

Just a wee question!!
What is the shelf life of turkey from killing? I'm killing mine tonight for the Xmas customers, but someone wants theirs for new year!
Will it be ok or do I need to kill later??
Any ideas folks??!!?

[Fleecewife]

It depends on how you keep them.  If you have a cold store it should be ok but otherwise not.
 
I grew up on a turkey farm and we started killing for fresh birds a fortnight before Christmas - we didn't have a refrigerated store, just a cold shed, which was ok if the weather was cold, but if it was mild there was a purple cloud following my Dad around as he worried he would lose the lot (hundreds) This was the 50s and 60s though so not as much legislation as now.
Pheasants can be hung for up to three weeks - I hate pheasant     

[omnipeasant]

Usual rule is hang them in a cold store and once gutted etc they must go in a fridge. Unfortunately it is really too mild this xmas to hang without a cold store.I would suggest dressing and freezing for new Year because fresh frozen is nearly as good as fresh. It is only the turkeys that are frozen for months that dry out.

[Victorian Farmer]

10 days for us

[Tudful Tamworths]

Ours were killed on the 17th and the abattoir label says "best before 01/01/13".