Who — aside from turkeys — doesn’t love Thanksgiving? With all
the football, family and food involved, it’s easy to understand
why millions of people celebrate the tradition. Thanksgiving was
made a federal holiday in 1941 and turkey consumption has fast
been on the rise. Thanksgiving from the perspective of the main
entrée doesn’t seem nearly as fun. Here are five facts about the
fast-growing industry and the birds that make the holiday
possible. 1. The National Turkey Foundation says that
consumption of the bird has doubled since 1970.The per capita
consumption is 16.1 pounds in 2011. In 1975, 124.2 million
turkeys were produced. In 2011, 248.5 million turkeys were
produced to meet demand. 2. By the 1800s, nearly all turkeys in
Connecticut had been extinct. The turkey population was
successfully introduced in the 1950s. The Connecticut Department
of Energy and Environmental Conservation lovingly refers to the
turkey as a “majestic bird.” Let Patch save you time. Get great
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