Thursday, November 25, 2010

How About Some Turkey Trivia...?


Since today is officially "Turkey Day" or Thanksgiving, I thought some good old fashioned trivia would certainly be called for!

After all, it would be nice to know a little bit about the (in most cases) guest of honor! Just think, you can spout this stuff off and amaze the grand kids with how smart you are!

Either that, or the whole bunch will reckon that gramps (or granny) has finally lost it and needs a keeper! No matter which one, a little fun is called for!

Of course, you know I got this fun stuff from the pages of the Almanac, right?

Turkey Trivia

Here is some fun trivia about turkeys, the all-American bird.

* There are several theories about how turkeys got their name. One story claims the Christopher Columbus heard some birds say "tuka, tuka", and his interpreter came up with the name tukki, which means "big bird" in hebrew.

* Because the wild turkey is quick to defend itself and fight against all predators, Ben Franklin wanted it as the symbol of the United States. Comparing it to the eagle, he called the turkey "a more respectable bird, a true original native of America."

* The average person in the United States will eat 15 pounds of turkey this year.

* The wild turkey is one of the more difficult birds to hunt. It won't be flushed out of the brush with a dog. Instead, hunters must try to attract it with different calls. Even with two seasons a year, only one in six hunters will get a wild turkey.

* By the 1930s, almost all of the wild turkeys in the U.S. had been hunted. Today, thanks to conservation programs, there are plenty of wild turkeys—they even invade cities!

* A male turkey is called a tom, a female is a hen, and a youngster is a poult.

* The domestic tom can weigh up to 50 pounds, the domestic hen up to 16 pounds. The wild tom can weigh up to 20 pounds, the wild hen up to 12 pounds.

* The domestic turkey can't fly. The wild turkey can, for short distances, but it prefers to walk or run.

* The average life span of a domestic turkey, from birth to freezer, is 26 weeks. During this period of time, it will eat about 75 pounds of turkey feed. The average life span of a wild turkey is three or four years. It generally feeds on seeds, nuts, insects, and berries.

* The wobbly little thing on the turkey’s chest is the turkey's beard and is made up of keratin bristles. Keratin is the same substance that forms hair and horns on other animals.

* Only male turkeys, or toms, can gobble, and they mostly do it in the spring and fall. It is a mating call and attracts the hens. Wild turkeys gobble at loud sounds and when they settle in for the night.

Well, there ya go! Probably more information than you ever wanted to know about the turkey! Just think! If ol' Ben Franklin would have had his way, the Tom Turkey would have been the symbol of the United States!

That's a pretty scary thought, isn't it?

Got time for a cup of fresh coffee on the patio? I certainly hope so, my friends!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

14 comments:

Momlady said...

A cup of coffee sounds like a great way to start the day. I'm off to daughter's for the big meal. My favorite? A sandwich the next day made with leftover turkey. Hope you have a delicious day. Don't eat too much.

MamaHen said...

Happy Thanksgiving Jim!! Hope you have a great day.

HermitJim said...

Hey Momlady...
Being a sandwich person myself, I can certainly understand!

I think my favorite part is leftovers! I'm a leftover person. I like 'em...always have! Guess that makes me pretty low maintenance!

Have a great day, and thanks for coming by!

HermitJim said...

Hey Anne...
Right back at ya, my friend! I hope that you and the Captain have a great day!

Thanks for dropping by this morning!

chinasyndrome said...

Happy Thanksgiving HJ, My brother I shall do my best to eat my 15 pounds.An probably 4 of ham.Ha Ha.Jim thanks for all the great stuff ya give us all year my friend.The world is better place for you being in it! Cheers!

China
III

JoJo said...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING MY SPECIAL ONE,
That was a great lesson on the Tom. And yes if I started telling that story they would think I was mad. LOL Turkey is in the oven and it is time to share a cup of coffee with my special friend on a day to be thankful for special friends and to be thankful for what we have.

Ken said...

...Happy Thanksgiving Jim,thanx for all ya do Brother,KeepTheFaith...GodBlessYouAndYours...

Dizzy-Dick said...

We don't need the Turkey as the National Bird, since we have a whole flock of turkeys in office in Washington, DC. . :-0

HermitJim said...

Hey China...
I appreciate the kind words and the visit from you this morning, buddy!

Sharing with my friends is one of my joys in life! A little thing, but it makes me feel good!

Have a peaceful holiday,my friend!


Hey JoJo...
I certainly hope you have a great holiday feast! Are you feeding a bunch?

I'm wishing a special peaceful holiday to ya, sweetie!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Ken...
I'm hoping that you have a very safe and peaceful day today, my friend!

I thank you so much for coming by today! Peace!


Hey Dizzy...
Wonder if many of those folks are brave enough to show their faces this holiday? Reckon not!

I'm wishing a peaceful and safe holiday for you and the family!

Thanks for coming by today!

Mechanic in Illinois said...

Hunting this morning was successful. My son and I got our limit of pheasants by 8am and were eating breakfast by 8:30. Thanks for the great info and have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Bob Mc said...

I’m a big fan of turkey sandwiches. I handle my bird a little differently than most folks, since I am only cooking for myself. I cut the wings and drumsticks off, and they are in a crock pot with a can of mushroom soup right now. This afternoon I will bone out the rest of the carcass and can the meat. Then I can have turkey sandwiches anytime I want them. :)

HermitJim said...

Hey Mechanic...
Glad you and the son had a successful hunt this morning! Never have eaten pheasant, but I've heard it's pretty tasty!

You and the family have a great Thanksgiving as well, buddy!


Hey Bob...
That sounds like a winner to me! You'll have to post about how you can your turkey for those of us that have never done it!

You have a great holiday, my friend, and thank you for coming by!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Enjoyed the turkey tidbits, HermitJim, and agree that leftovers are the best part of turkey dinner. Happy Thanksgiving, friend.

Bob Mc said...

Pretty simple Jim, but you do need a pressure canner to do it safely. Just bone out the meat, pack it into canning jars, and follow basic canning instructions.