Turkeys Are Twice as Big as They Were in 1960

Since 1960, the weight of turkeys has gone up about a quarter of a pound each year. The average weight of a turkey has gone from 15.1 pounds in 1960 to 31.1 pounds in 2017.

While turkeys’ overall mortality rates do not seem to be higher than earlier generations, they—like our ever larger chickens—do suffer some new kinds of health problems. Their bodies can struggle to hold up their weight, leading to leg problems.