Big Tom was a great turkey. So gentle and kind because we hand raised him. Every day when I got home he was waiting for me at my car door, wanting to get fed some cracked corn, which was his treat. He would lean into you like a dog, wanting attention. Even took a liking to our lab, Cedar.


I actually teared up when I butchered him, and my father-in-law refused to eat turkey that year at Thanksgiving because he had grown so attached to Big Tom. My wife said my toast to Big Tom that Thanksgiving was more like a eulogy than a toast, again said with tears in my eyes. He ate really well though, and not one bit went to waste. I made sure of that. A truly excellent bird in all ways. 42lbs in the round, 36 pounds in the pan.

That being said, this year's tom is an asshole. The wife is tired of him chasing her car out of the driveway to the highway. He chases her about 120 yards or so. The wife has requested the chore of shooting him. Won't be so sad to see this guy hit the pan. He is no Big Tom.