TURKEY
The most common domesticated turkey, the Broadbreasted White, is so heavy and large-breasted that it can't fly, run or mate naturally. They must be artificially inseminated.
Turkeys are closely related to grouse, quail and pheasants.
Frozen, fully stuffed turkeys, ready to cook, were introduced in 1955.
Long before Europeans came to America, the Aztecs had domesticated turkeys. They used them for food, for religious sacrifices and the feathers for decoration.
The state game bird of Alabama is the turkey.
Alabama has one of the largest per acre populations of wild turkeys of any state.
In 1970, 50% of all turkey was consumed during the holidays. Today (2001) 32% is consumed during the holidays.
An estimated 263 million turkeys were raised in the United States in 2004. That's down 4 percent from 2003. In 2003, the turkeys produced weighed 7.5 billion pounds altogether and were valued at $2.7 billion. Minnesota raised 46.5 million turkeys, followed by North Carolina (39 million), Arkansas (28 million), Missouri (21.5 million), Virginia (19 million) and California (16 million). These six states together account for nearly 2 of every 3 turkeys produced in 2004.
US Census Bureau, October 2004
The typical American consumed 14 pounds of turkey in 2002 -- no doubt a good bit of it at Thanksgiving time. Per capita turkey consumption was virtually the same as in 1990 (13.8 pounds), but 70 percent higher than in 1980 (8.1 pounds).
US Census Bureau, October 2004
The Wild Turkey is the official state game bird of Oklahoma.
The Wild Turkey was designated the state game bird of Massachusetts on December 23, 1991.
Then there's the time a lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock by, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" The stock boy replied, "No ma'am, they're dead."
Things you always wanted to know about turkeys but were afraid to ask:
* Domesticated turkey hens are artificially inseminated. They lay 80 - 100 eggs during a 25 week laying cycle, and each egg takes 28 days to hatch.
* Turkey eggs are tan with brown specks.
* Domesticated Turkeys have been bred to have white feathers so there are no unsightly pigment spots under the skin when they are plucked.
* The average turkey has 3,500 feathers at maturity.
* The Caruncle is the red/pink fleshy growth on the head and upper neck of the turkey.
* The Snood is the long, red fleshy growth from the base of the beak that hangs down over the neck.
* The Wattle is the bright red appendage at the neck.
* The beard is a black lock of hair found on the chest of the male turkey.
* Only tom turkeys gobble, hen turkeys make a clicking noise.
* Domesticated turkeys cannot fly.
* Wild turkeys can fly for short distances for up to 55 miles per hour, and run at 20 miles per hour.
* The pet food industry uses about 13% of U.S. turkey production.
Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation (NTF) has presented the President of the United States with a live turkey and two dressed turkeys in celebration of Thanksgiving. The annual presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the President has become a traditional holiday ritual in the nation's capital, signaling the unofficial beginning of the holiday season and providing the President an opportunity to reflect publicly on the meaning of the Thanksgiving season. After the ceremony, the live bird retires to a historical farm to live out the rest of its years.
It has been estimated that 95% of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving.
The top five most popular ways to serve leftover Thanksgiving turkey are: Sandwich, Soup or Stew, Casserole, Stir-fry, and Salad.
The typical 15 pound turkey is 70% white meat and 30% dark meat. White meat has fewer calories and less fat than dark meat.
When Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin sat down to eat their first meal on the moon, their foil food packets contained roasted turkey and all of the trimmings.
Almost 50% of Americans eat turkey at least once every 2 weeks.
2001 Highest Per Capita consumption of turkey:
Israel 28.8 pounds
United States 17.5 pounds
France 14.5 pounds
Italy 12.3 pounds
Germany 11 pounds
United Kingdom 9.3 pounds
Canada 9.3 pounds.
According to the National Turkey Federation, about 24% of Americans purchase fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving, and 69% purchase frozen turkeys.
Only tom turkeys gobble. Hen turkeys make a clicking noise.
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