Birds Bulking Up: U.S. Turkeys Growing Steadily Larger

Turkeys throughout the United States have increased their average weight by 4 percent, according to the USDA. In its latest “Poultry Slaughter” report, USDA reports that the average weight of turkeys slaughtered in 2005 was 28.2 pounds, up from 27.2 pounds a year ago.

Historically, USDA records show that turkeys have been increasing in average weight annually for at least the past 40 years. The average turkey weight has increased 57 percent since 1965, when turkeys averaged only 18 pounds. Over the past decade alone, turkeys have averaged a 5-pound weight gain, from 23.2 pounds in 1995 to 28.2 pounds in 2005.

Could they be planning something? Should this trend continue, we could project that by about the year 2305 an average turkey could weigh almost as much as an average man and be capable of putting up a better than average fight around Thanksgiving.