Facts About Thanksgiving Today

In the US about 280 million turkeys are sold for Thanksgiving celebrations.

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Each year, the average American eats somewhere between 16 - 18 pounds of turkey.

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Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States.

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Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.

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Although, Thanksgiving is widely considered an American holiday, it is also celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.

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Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season.

 . . Fun Turkey Facts . .

The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.

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The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog.

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A 15 pound turkey usually has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat.

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

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Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef.

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Turkeys will have 3,500 feathers at maturity.

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Male turkeys gobble. Hens do not. They make a clucking noise.

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Commercially raised turkeys cannot fly.

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Turkeys have heart attacks. The United States Air Force was doing test runs and breaking the sound barrier. Nearby turkeys dropped dead with heart attacks.

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A large group of turkeys is called a flock.

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Turkeys have poor night vision.

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It takes 75-80 pounds of feed to raise a 30 pound tom turkey.

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A 16-week-old turkey is called a fryer. A five to seven month old turkey is called a young roaster.