Turkey Day by Kritter Girl

Just two days before Thanksgiving my Editor suggested to me via e-mail that while writing his traditional Thanksgiving Day article, he thought that perhaps I might consider writing about the American native bird called the turkey for Kritter Korner and publish before Thursday.

“It was just a passing thought,” he said.

Later that night, shortly before he walked out the door to go to work, he asked if I received his email about the turkey article. Well, my only comment at the time I could come back with was,

“And when do you think I will have the time to do that?!”

After all I only have a turkey feast to prepare for us here at home and a client’s dogs to walk for 3 miles on Thanksgiving Day; I have plenty of time, right!!

So for all you women out there who know WE can multi-task and our guys can’t, I had to once again step up the pace. Now the only question here is:

Will my editor have time to proof and publish this by Thursday?)

So here are the turkey trivia/facts:

Turkey Trivia:

· November 20, 2007, two turkeys are pardoned at the White House by President Bush.

· Since 1947 presidents have pardoned the Thanksgiving turkeys to live out their lives on a historical farm.

· A domesticated turkey is the largest poultry bird raised for food.

· Turkeys were taken to Europe by the Spanish who had found then as a favorite domesticated animal among the Aztecs.^[i]

· The female domesticated turkey is called a hen.

· The male domesticated turkey is referred to as a tom.

· The unofficial national dish in Mexico is turkey meat with mole sauce.

· In the Midwestern United States in the mid to late 1800s, domestic turkeys were actually herded across the range in a manner similar to herding cattle. ^[ii]

· In Britain prior to World War II turkey was something of a luxury.

· The poultry industry produces approximately 4 billion pound of feathers every year.

· After just one mating a hen will continue to cay fertile eggs for 3-4 weeks.

· Turkey is low in fat and high in tryptophan and protein, having more protein than chicken or beef.

· As a symbol of prosperity Norman Rockwell featured a roast turkey in his Freedom from Want painting.

· Turkey droppings are being used as a fuel source in electric power plants. One such plant in western Minnesota provides 55 megawatts of power using 700,000 tons of dung per year. The plant began operating in 2007. Three such plants are in operation in England^[iii].

· In 1881 wild turkeys disappeared from Wisconsin. 

· In 1976 Wisconsin DNR made a trade with Missouri, we gave them ruffed grouse and they gave us turkeys to bring the wild turkey back to Wisconsin.

· Today in Wisconsin there are more than 300,000 wild turkeys [and hunting permits are always sold out].

· 15 pounds is the average weight of turkeys purchased at Thanksgiving

· The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed 86 pounds.

· Domestic and tame turkeys weigh twice that of a wild turkey.

· Domestic turkeys are unable to fly because of their weight.

· Turkey was the fourth choice of protein by American consumers in 2006.

· In 2006, California, Minnesota, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri and North Carolina were the leading producers of turkeys.

· 16.9 pounds of turkey is what the average American ate in 2006.

· In 2006 turkey growers raise 261.9 million turkeys, with an estimated 269.8 million for 2007.

· In 2007, Illinois produced 2.8 million turkeys.

· Wild turkeys can run 20 miles per hour.

· Wild turkeys can fly up to 55 miles per hour for short distances.

· The turkey at maturity has 3,500 feathers and most of which are composted.

· Rumor has it Big Birds costume from Sesame Street is made of turkey feathers.

· Some belts and cowboy boots are tanned turkey skin.

· In the Untied States on Thanksgiving 675 million pounds of turkey is eaten.

· About 22 million turkeys are eaten each Christmas.

· At Easter 22 million turkeys are eaten.

· 27% of turkeys consumed in the United States are consumed during the holidays.^[iv]

· At least once a week 50% of the United States consumers eat turkey.

· The turkey’s head can change colors when they become excited.

· To raise a 30-pound turkey it will take 75-80 pounds of feed.

· From almost a hundred yards away a turkey can see movement.

· Turkeys see in color, but do not see well at night.

· To stabilize their arrows Native Americans used turkey feathers.

· Hens make a clicking noise where male turkeys gobble.

· Wild turkeys spend their night in trees.

· National Turkey’s lover’s month is June.

· The first English King to enjoy a turkey was Henry the VIII.

· Turkeys can have heart attacks.

· Since 1974 “Turkey” has been my pet name for my soul mate, love of my life, and editor.

Let’s face it, whatever the facts are, turkeys taste good. Thanksgiving day, the house is filled with the aroma of pumpkin pie and turkey in the oven for hours. Oh the smell of it all brings a tear to my eyes, as I remember as a kid my dad preparing our family dinner. For years I have tried to duplicate his famous stuffing, only to come close as my son would tell me, it’s not grandpa’s. You see he never wrote the recipe down, no one has it, he wouldn’t tell, it was his little secret and he took it to his grave.

How I miss those days of being his clean-up crew and miss his wonderful stuffing. He may be gone, but each year he is with me in the kitchen, in my heart and thoughts as I prepare Thanksgiving dinner for my family.

Editor’s Note:
This article will be published today, one day before Thanksgiving Day, and will also appear at the Lighthouse Patriot Journal; along with other articles I am posting (see, Babe, I CAN multi-task – in defense of the male gender). Reading/editing her article I realize another facet about “Quail” (my personal nickname in answer to the “Turkey” nickname, inspired by the Oldies Everly Brothers song, Bird Dog, she decided to bestow upon me back in 1974). Every seven years my birthday falls on Thanksgiving Day, so you might say every once in a while I get turkey dinner for my birthday. …

Hey, bird dog get away from my Quail
Hey, bird dog you’re on the wrong trail
Bird dog you better leave my lovey-dove alone
Hey, bird do you get away from my chick
Hey, bird dog you better get away quick
Bird dog you better find a chicken little of your own.

 

Sources:

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/bird/wildturkey.htm

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/turkey/facts.html

http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/turkey.htm

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-11-20-voa72.cfm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_turkey

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^[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_turkey

^[ii] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_turkey

^[iii] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_turkey

^[iv] http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/turkey/facts.html