Turkey Talk: Facts About Turkeys
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that means we’ve got turkey on the brain. An estimated 88 percent of Americans still serve turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, with the average bird ringing in at around 15 pounds. Take a look at some of these interesting facts about turkeys before the feast:
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- Turkeys exhibit a flock mentality, with birds often acting and reacting with what appears to be a single mind. Each flock has its own personality.
- The common commercial turkey displays white plumage simply because the color has been bred out. Pigment in the feathers can discolor the bird’s skin during dressing, resulting in a less appetizing presentation.
- There is no difference in taste between male and female turkeys.
- Along with the carb-loaded overindulgence that comes with Thanksgiving, turkey is indeed conducive to napping. It is naturally high in l-tryptophan, which is believed to produce a calming effect.
- More than 253.5 million turkeys were raised in the U.S. in 2012.
- A baby turkey is called a poult. It is tan and brown.
- Turkey eggs are tan with brown specks and are larger than chicken eggs.
- Toms are male turkeys, hens are female turkeys.
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