Turkey Size report
As we all know, as the "protagonist" of the American Christmas dinner, turkey plays a pivotal role on Christmas Day. You can even see a roast turkey on the Christmas table in many classic American movies or TV shows. Researchers believe the domestication of turkeys may have started with Indians in Mexico before Columbus arrived in the Americas. Nowadays, roast turkey has become a staple in American families on important holidays.
Turkey is poultry native to North America. Turkeys are larger than ordinary chickens and can reach more than 10 kilograms. According to tradition, Americans cook a turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Like other Galliformes, females are smaller than males and are less brightly colored.
In many European countries, it has been customary to eat roast turkey at Christmas. In the United States, people especially like to eat turkey on Thanksgiving, so turkey products tend to be seasonal. Have you ever cooked turkey at home? The following post will explain some interesting turkey size facts that you may also be interested in.
Turkey Basics and Haibits
Today, we can find a variety of lean turkey rolls in supermarkets at any time, and during the holidays, whole turkeys are more popular. The turkey farming industry also developed. In the United States, wild turkey populations have recovered in recent years, after a decline in numbers due to overhunting and now state hunting regulation laws.
Wild turkeys live in woodlands near water and feed on seeds, insects, and occasionally frogs and lizards. Turkeys run quickly to cover when frightened but can also fly up to 55 mph in short bursts. Domesticated turkeys are bred to be heavier in weight, almost twice as much as a wild turkey, so that they won't be flying anytime soon.
Physical Characters
Before about 1935, people bred turkeys mainly to take advantage of their beautiful feathers, and later they paid attention to cultivating varieties with good meat quality. The head and neck of the turkey are almost naked, only sparsely feathered, and the throat is drooping with red fleshy flaps. The back is slightly raised. The plumage ranges from creamy white to brownish gray to blackish brownish black, with metallic luster in various colors. They can change colors. You can tell a turkey's emotions by the color of their heads. Colors can change from red to blue to white, depending on how excited or calm they are. The more intense the colors are, the more intense their emotions. The male turkey tail feathers can be spread out in a fan shape, and there are many hairballs on the chest.
Breeding
During courtship, male turkeys spread their tail feathers, droop their wings, and make a jerky call as they walk. A male can have a group of female mates, each of which lays 8 to 15 eggs applied in the low-lying ground; the incubation period can take up to 28 days.
Turkey Average Size Guide
Buying the right turkey can mean the difference between a good Thanksgiving and a legendary Thanksgiving. And while you can’t go wrong with any of the birds, shopping for a specific size or certification can be tricky. Rest assured, there is a turkey sizing guide to help simplify the process. Below, learn more about these huge birds, plus get expert buying tips.
Turkey Average Size
Turkeys are 3-4 times larger than chickens, with an average body height of 110-115 cm. The wingspan can reach 125-144 cm, and the average weight is 2.5-10.8 kg.
- Males can grow up to 130 centimeters (50 inches) in height and 10 kilograms (22 pounds) in weight but are lighter on average.
- The weight of female turkeys is generally only half that of male birds, and the skin tumors and wattles on the head are also smaller.
- The meat of domestic breeds is delicious and can be much heavier.
What size turkey to order
Turkey is the classic choice for Christmas dinner, but deciding what size turkey to order can be challenging. Getting too big a turkey will lead to days and days of leftovers, and that may be an issue if you can’t finish them all, but getting one too small might leave you having to scrape together enough to feed everyone at your dinner table. The below tips can help you get the right size turkey.
Here are some turkey sizes and the number of people they will serve.
| Turkey Weight | Serve People |
|---|---|
| 2-2.5 kg | 4-6 people |
| 3 kg | 6-7 people |
| 3.5 kg | 7-8 people |
| 4-4.5 kg | 8-10 people |
| 5-5.5 kg | 10-12 people |
| 6-6.5 kg | 12-15 kg |
