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alan
 
Posts: n/a
Default Turkey: Tom or Hen

I wonder why the hens are 10 cents more a pound, unless there is just
less of a supply or with the Tom, you get a volume discount.

On Sat, 19 Nov 2005 13:33:02 -0600, zxcvbob >
wrote:

>itsjoannotjoann wrote:
>> zxcvbob wrote:
>>
>>>alan wrote:
>>>
>>>>Waldbaums, our supermarket, has turkeys in sale if you spend $25. The
>>>>Toms are 29 cents a pound and the Hens are 39 cents. Price wars are
>>>>great!.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>What is the difference in taste between a Tom and a Hen and is there
>>>>any difference in the size of the breast in the Hen?
>>>>
>>>>

>>
>>
>>>I may be wrong, but I think the birds are sorted by size rather than
>>>sex. A "hen" is smaller than a "tom", and either be male or female.
>>>
>>>The heavier the bird, the more meat you get per pound.
>>>
>>>Bob

>>
>>
>>
>> No, a hen is actually a 'woman' turkey (I know, I know, what a stupid
>> thing to say) and of course that makes the toms male. Most all turks
>> sold in the store are toms because they do seem to have the larger
>> breast. Hen turkeys can be had at the grocery stores but you may have
>> to do a search at your market or request they order one for you.

>
>
>I know /biologically/ that's the difference between toms and hens, but
>when they are gutted and plucked and shrink-wrapped in plastic, I think
>the wrapper says "tom" on the 20 pounders and "hen" on the 10 pounders,
>and the actual sex of the once bird has nothing to do with it.
>
>The males do tend to be larger, but I don't think they really sex them.
>
>> I've had both and not being a con-o-sewer I couldn't really tell any
>> difference in the taste. Some say there is, but I couldn't distinguish
>> any.

>
>
>Best regards,
>Bob