What is the best way to determine the correct form size for a turkey that has already been skinned.
Ricky
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Since you measure the breast of one but I would open up the bird and mesure it the same way but laid flat. Also if you already defatted it I would go smaller cause they get bigger after you flesh.
Hey Paul any help here, your the turkey guy!
Thanks for heaping all the pressure on me Frank! I really need more pressure as I'm trying to get stuff ready for shows....LOL. Seriously Ricky, I'll try to help. You didn't say what subspecies your bird was so I will cover all the bases. First of all, as the old saying goes, "Size really doesn't matter (much)". If your bird is an adult Eastern or Rio it is probably going to take a medium sized body. I generally don't endorse one product over the other on here but I use Stephan Savides' bodies from Research on virtually all my customer work. I use Cally Morris' bodies for strutters. So.....if you're doing an Eastern or Rio in a standing or flying position I would recommend the #285 body from Research. If your bird is a strutter I would suggest Cally Morris' medium strut body from McKenzie. The smartest thing to do, though, is to buy the body you THINK you'll need and then buy the next one down too. They are not that expensive and it can save you a lot of grief. You always want your skin to be a little big for the body-- that's why God made fiber-fill. Now, back to my lecture. If your bird is a Merriams it SHOULD take one of the aformentioned bodies but since some Merriams can be quite large it would be prudent to order the larger body (#290)....just in case. If your bird is an Osceola it, more than likely, will take the small body (#280). Of course, all of the above goes right out the window if your bird is an abnormally large one (from Missouri) or a freakishly small one (from West Virginia). WOW, I just re-read everything I've written so far and I hope I haven't confused you. I REALLY need to back off on the Diet-Pepsi! In case you're confused Ricky let me sum everything up this way. Order a medium sized body but get a smaller one just in case. If the medium one goes in with a comfortable amount of slack use it. If not, use the smaller one. WHEW, I have "typer's cramp". Again, sorry for the long lecture...hope I've helped.
Thanks for the help. Great info
Ricky