Chickens, ducks, turkeys ... it's all poultry!

June is a very exciting month for many families because it is filled with graduation parties. One my favorite things to have at a grad party is cheesy turkey. Did you know that Minnesota ranks first in the nation for turkey production?

Turkeys are part of what we call poultry, which includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, or geese raised for meat or eggs. Obviously the favorite time of the year to eat turkey is during Thanksgiving. On that day nearly 690 million pounds of turkey is eaten! 

Chickens are also considered poultry because they are raised for both meat and eggs. A broiler is a young chicken raised for meat, and in the United States it is a $45 billion dollar industry. When it comes to chickens laying eggs, the average hen lays about 260 eggs a year. She can start laying eggs when she is just 19 weeks old and as she grows older she will produce larger eggs.

The families who raise poultry are dedicated to caring for their animals to ensure that we are getting the best food possible. It is important to remember that when cooking chicken, if the meat still has the bone in it it should be heated to at least 180 degrees Fahrenheit. If the meat is boneless, it should be heated to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unfortunately we will not be able to have turkeys at the miracle of birth center but we will have chicks hatching. If you want to see a preview of what you will be able to view live at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center view the video below!

Minnesota ranks 3rd in the nation for hog production! Check out the next blog to find the answer of this question:

How fast can a wild turkey run?