The turkey: an all-American bird! The turkey was here long before the Europeans ever came to the New World. Estimates put the turkey's ancestors in North America somewhere around to 5 million years ago. Native Americans ate turkey well before the Europeans' arrival, and not just once or twice a year but year-round. | RflISWI TURIŒYS Breeds Care Health The turkey an all-American bird The turkey was here long before the Europeans ever came to the New World. Estimates put the turkey s ancestors in North America somewhere around to 5 million years ago. Native Americans ate turkey well before the Europeans arrival and not just once or twice a year but year-round. They knew that the turkey was a great food resource. As a matter of fact the natives in Old Mexico and the southwestern United States domesticated the turkey and were the first turkey farmers. Other Native Americans hunted the bird across its range. The turkey not only was a source of food for the natives but also provided clothing tools and weapons contributed to their ceremonies and had numerous other miscellaneous uses. When the Europeans took the turkey back home it was given such high honors that in many cases only the elite and royalty could eat it. When the colonists came to the New World they were surprised to find the turkey already here but were quick to add it to their food supply. Fortunately we do not have to worry about where our turkeys come from. Farmers in the United States produce 275 to 300 million turkeys each year enough to supply consumers and export turkey products to other countries. Turkeys are fed wholesome diets made up of corn soybean meal wheat and other ingredients such as vitamins and minerals. Successful and caring turkey producers spend a great deal of energy time effort and money to ensure that their turkeys are given the best care possible. This means that people can purchase turkey products knowing that they are providing their families with one of the most nutritious and wholesome foods available. Turkey has always been popular on our dinner table during Thanksgiving and other holidays however maybe we should take a hint from the first Americans and use the turkey as a wholesome food vear-roiind. Why Raise Turkeys Even though turkeys are raised in large numbers by the turkey .
