11/21/2017
Turkey Fun Facts
Ben Franklin, in a letter to his daughter, proposed the turkey as the official United States bird.
The turkey industry employs 20,000 to 25,000 persons in the United States.
The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog.
A 16 week old turkey is called a fryer. A 5 to 7 month old turkey is called a young roaster and a yearling is a year old. Any turkey 15 months or older is called mature.
The ballroom dance the "Turkey Trot"was named for the short, jerky steps that turkeys take.
Turkeys can see in color.
Wild turkeys spend the night in trees. They prefer oak trees.
Wild turkeys can fly for short distances up to 55 mph and can run 20 mph. Commercially raised turkeys cannot fly.
