What About That Thanksgiving Turkey?

Have you ever wondered about that golden turkey that is central to your Thanksgiving Table surrounded by veggies in all their colorful glory, and by family, friends and perhaps neighbors who would otherwise be alone?

A surprising fact is that the bird, which almost became our national bird, took a very circuitous route to our tables. Online at 5 Myths About Your Turkey Dinner (sentientmedia.org) are some surprising facts about Tom Turkey some of which are included in this text.  

A turkey standing in grass.

Wild turkeys are native to some parts of the United States. In Mexico they were farmed as long ago as 2000 years. It is believed that Spanish conquistadors brought them to Europe. Turkeys then took a round trip back to this country with colonists. Perhaps they are the earliest world travelers among us!

The birds are very intelligent social animals who live in family groups with male siblings as life-long members. They even mourn the loss of one of their flock.

Like everything that inhabits our planet, turkeys are due respect. Yet, that is not what they ordinarily experience during breeding, even less do they experience it when being slaughtered.

Turkeys are bred to be so heavy that their feet suffer a lot as they try to bear the weight of their bodies. Raised in crowded conditions in warehouses, they are unable to roam freely and forage. Labels easily claim that they are humanely raised when that is far from true because there is no regulation to safeguard their living conditions.

You may know farmers in your area from whom you can purchase turkeys who have been raised similar to being in the wild. Or you may choose to eat a plant-based meal on National Thanksgiving Day. 

Thanksgiving is what is central to our common feast day, as is gathering around a table to share a festive meal. There is nothing more wonderful than gathering around a table to share a meal.

Veronica Blake, SMR