Overstuffed: America's Sad Turkeys

Cver STUFFED AMERICA'S SAD TURKEYS Since 1960, the weight of an average live domesticated turkey has nearly doubled. Overstuffing these birds has serious health consequences – including a drastically shortened life span – even if they are pardoned and don't end up in an oven for the holidays. PACKING ON THE POUNDS 40 Average weight of a live domesticated turkey If the trend continues, the average weight could reach 40 pounds by 2020. POUNDS 21.25 20.05 23.15 18.51 18.11 337 1970 2000 2005 2010 1965 1960 BIG BUTTERBALLS In 2012, the average domesticated turkey was more than 10 pounds heavier than the average wild turkey. Due to their hefty weight, domesticated turkeys face health challenges that their wild counterparts don't encounter. CLIPPED BEAKS The turkeys' upper beaks are clipped so they cannot hurt each other. WILD TURKEY WHITE FEATHERS 5.5-18.8 pounds White feathers have finer shafts and are less visible when the turkey is plucked FLIGHTLESS WINGS Because of the birds' weight, they are kept flightless. DOMESTICATED TURKEY 29.88 pounds SWOLLEN JOINTS The birds have swollen joints and crippled feet because they can't bear their own weight. HEART & LUNGS The hearts and lungs of genetically modified turkeys can't keep up with their rapid growth. FROM BIRTH TO FREEZER, TO OVEN 26. The average lifespan of a domesticated turkey is 26 weeks, compared to the 3-4 years that wild turkeys live. In that 26 weeks, a domesticated turkey will eat about 75 pounds of feed. WEEKS 3-4 YEARS GOBBLED UP Minnesota is the top turkey-producing state in the nation, with 46 million raised in 2012. And six states – Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri, Virginia, and Indiana – account for close to two-thirds of the 253.5 million turkeys raised last year. 46M 17M MINNESOTA VIRGINIA 17.5M MISSOURI One fifth of the annual total of 235 million turkeys eaten 36M 29M in the United States is N.CAROLINA consumed at Thanksgiving. The average Thanksgiving turkey is 15 pounds. 16.5M ARKANSAS INDIANA PARDON ME? And what about the turkeys that don't get gobbled up on Thanksgiving? One is pardoned each year by the president, in a yearly tradition officially started by George H.W. Bush. in 1989. Here's where they live out the rest of their lives: 2010-PRESENT George Washington's Mount Vernon 1989-2004 Mount Vernon, Va. Frying Pan Park Herndon, Va. 2005-2009 Walt Disney World & Disneyland Lake Buena Vista, Fla. & Anaheim, Calif. The turkeys are part of the "Christmas at Mount Vernon" exhibition with a While at Disney, the turkeys served as honorary grand marshals of the camel named Aladdin. Thanksgiving Day Parade. DUE TO THE HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DOMESTICATED TURKEYS, MANY OF THE PARDONED BIRDS HAVE 'SHORT RETIREMENTS’ AND DIE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER BEING SPARED. Sources: United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistic Service, The Old Farmer's Almanac, The History Channel, National Turkey Federation, Wired, National Geographic THE HUFFINGTON POST 25.64 18.00 28.07 1975 25 lbs 20 lbs 1995 16.83 29.17 .....