Notes from the Turkeys
Here are some facts about me! Did you know that:

• I can weigh up to 38 pounds! Can you imagine me on your dinner table!
• We lay about 18 eggs at a time and it takes about 30 days for us to hatch.
• After hatching we are called “Poults”.
• I have over 5000 feathers and 157 bones.
• I can fly up to 55 mph and run about 18 mph
• That funny thing hanging over my beak is called a “Snood” and the other floppy thing under my chin is called a “Wattle”!
• I live outside and eat lots of grass, bugs, vegetation that is all around me
• I am smarter than an Eagle and frankly more respectable. I find my own food where as the Eagle is a scavenger.
• Ben Franklin wanted me to be the National Bird. Here is an excerpt from a letter he sent to his daughter:

"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labor of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

"With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country...
"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

Whew! Order up your turkey today so you can free your mind for other tasks in the busy holidays!

Your Snoody Farmer…Tara Smith