Turkey Facts

Most turkey feathers are composted.

Turkeys have been bred to have white feathers. White feathers have no spots under the skin when plucked.

Turkeys will have 3,500 feathers at maturity.

For their first meal on the moon, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin ate roast turkey in foil packets.

White meat has fewer calories and less fat than dark meat.

Turkey is low in fat and high in protein.

According to the 2002 census, there were 8,436 turkey farms in the United States.

50 percent of U.S. consumers eat turkey at least once per week.

Eating turkey does not cause you to feel sleepy after your Thanksgiving dinner. Carbohydrates in your Thanksgiving dinner are the likely cause of your sleepiness.

The five most popular ways to serve leftover turkey is as a sandwich, in stew, chili or soup, casseroles and as a burger.

Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented a live turkey and two dressed turkeys to the President. The President does not eat the live turkey. He "pardons" it and allows it to live out its days on a historical farm.

June is National Turkey Lover’s Month.

Turkey breeding has caused turkey breasts to grow so large that the turkeys fall over.

In England, 200 years ago, turkeys were walked to market in herds. They wore booties to protect their feet. Turkeys were also walked to market in the United States.

Wild turkeys were almost wiped out in the early 1900's. Today there are wild turkeys in every state except Alaska.