This was the topic of discussion this past Thanksgiving. I did my research, as I too was curious. I discovered most female turkeys are used for Thanksgiving. They get a faster turn over on the farms with the females, as they grow faster than the males. Most male turkey meat is used for deli products and turkey burgers, as they can get up to 35 lbs. , which is way to big to fit in an oven. Males ARE called Toms, Females called HENS, younger birds are called JAKES. Females also have more meat on them for the size they are. Females do cost more than a male, but again, most turkeys are females.
Both... equal opportunity turkey slaughter year-round.
Same with chickens raised for meat. Egg-laying hens are obviously female. Their male chicks are killed immediately because they don't have any economic value. The female chicks end up in battery cages until they are slaughtered for cheap meat. Google "battery cages" -- it's horrific.
5.2 billion turkeys
Turkeys are the keynote guest at Thanksgiving. At Thanksgiving turkeys are kaput.
4 wild turkeys
THANKSGIVING
Turkeys and ducks are very popular at Thanksgiving.
About 46 million turkeys.
We have turkey seasoning and fancy ovens and they did not. Also, turkeys today are raised on farms. The turkeys served at the first Thanksgiving were wild.
For Thanksgiving or sandwhiches
They serve tofu.
Pilgrims served the wild turkeys on first Thanksgiving.
There are hundreds and thousands of turkeys sold each Thanksgiving for cooking. The exact number depends on the exact location.
The company that sells the most turkeys for Thanksgiving is Butterball. This company has a lot of very close competition though.