Did you know that turkeys communicate their emotions by way of color changes in the skin on their necks, faces and snoods?
Did you know that a turkeys snood turns bright red when he is upset or during courtship?
Do you know what a snood is?
A snood is the flap of skin that hangs over the turkeys beak. And now you know it changes color! These are just a few of the fascinating facts about Americas favorite holiday bird being revealed by Farm Sanctuary, the nations leading farm animal protection organization, just in time for Thanksgiving. Having rescued more than 1,000 turkeys since 1986 and provided lifelong care for hundreds at their two world-renowned shelters located in Watkins Glen, New York and Orland, California, the organization is recognized as a foremost expert on these sensitive, intelligent and thoroughly fascinating birds.
Turkeys recognize each other by their unique voices.
Researchers have identified more than 20 distinct vocalizations in wild turkeys.
Turkeys have excellent geography skills and can learn the specific details of an area of more than 1,000 acres.
Like cats and dogs, turkeys are intelligent and sensitive animals who form strong social bonds and show great affection to others.
On factory farms, turkeys frequently have the ends of their beaks and toes cut off without anesthesia practices know as debeaking and detoeing to prevent them from injuring one another as they are crowded by the thousands into dark, filthy warehouses.
The weight of the average turkey raised commercially in the U.S. increased by 57 percent between the year 1965 and the year 2000. Farmed turkeys were bred to grow up to an average of 28.2 pounds, causing commercially-bred turkeys to suffer from crippling foot and leg problems.
Completely unlike their wild ancestors not only in terms of physique but also in hue, most commercial turkeys are totally white the natural bronze color selectively bred out of them to eliminate uneven pigment colorations because of consumer preference for even flesh tones.
Also catering to consumer preferences for white meat, the industry has selectively bred turkeys to have abnormally large breasts. This anatomical manipulation makes it difficult for male turkeys to mount the females, eliminating these birds ability to reproduce naturally. As a result, artificial insemination is now the sole means of reproduction on factory farms, where breeder birds are confined for months on end.
Turkeys, along with other poultry, are not protected by the federal Humane Slaughter Act, and are frequently killed without first being stunned.
Every year, more than 46 million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving holiday dinners, but it doesnt have to be this way.
Did you know that a turkeys snood turns bright red when he is upset or during courtship?
Do you know what a snood is?
A snood is the flap of skin that hangs over the turkeys beak. And now you know it changes color! These are just a few of the fascinating facts about Americas favorite holiday bird being revealed by Farm Sanctuary, the nations leading farm animal protection organization, just in time for Thanksgiving. Having rescued more than 1,000 turkeys since 1986 and provided lifelong care for hundreds at their two world-renowned shelters located in Watkins Glen, New York and Orland, California, the organization is recognized as a foremost expert on these sensitive, intelligent and thoroughly fascinating birds.
Turkeys recognize each other by their unique voices.
Researchers have identified more than 20 distinct vocalizations in wild turkeys.
Turkeys have excellent geography skills and can learn the specific details of an area of more than 1,000 acres.
Like cats and dogs, turkeys are intelligent and sensitive animals who form strong social bonds and show great affection to others.
On factory farms, turkeys frequently have the ends of their beaks and toes cut off without anesthesia practices know as debeaking and detoeing to prevent them from injuring one another as they are crowded by the thousands into dark, filthy warehouses.
The weight of the average turkey raised commercially in the U.S. increased by 57 percent between the year 1965 and the year 2000. Farmed turkeys were bred to grow up to an average of 28.2 pounds, causing commercially-bred turkeys to suffer from crippling foot and leg problems.
Completely unlike their wild ancestors not only in terms of physique but also in hue, most commercial turkeys are totally white the natural bronze color selectively bred out of them to eliminate uneven pigment colorations because of consumer preference for even flesh tones.
Also catering to consumer preferences for white meat, the industry has selectively bred turkeys to have abnormally large breasts. This anatomical manipulation makes it difficult for male turkeys to mount the females, eliminating these birds ability to reproduce naturally. As a result, artificial insemination is now the sole means of reproduction on factory farms, where breeder birds are confined for months on end.
Turkeys, along with other poultry, are not protected by the federal Humane Slaughter Act, and are frequently killed without first being stunned.
Every year, more than 46 million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving holiday dinners, but it doesnt have to be this way.
VIEW 11 of 11 COMMENTS
dashka:
I guess i'm thankfull there's not thanksgiving in Costa Rica... otherwise I would feel guilty as hell, I hope more people would know this...
eissac:
Your 666th attached photo is a picture of your Bentley. That must be one hell of a pup you've got there.