While producers of beef place great emphasis on the lifestyle of the animal prior to butchering (i.e., sedentary vs. active), we are told that this is an incidental issue where turkeys are concerned. Being of a naturally lethargic and low-energy disposition, turkeys are not inclined toward physical exercise or exertion; however, some turkey producers opt to at least give the birds the chance to graze during the day in the interest of ethical treatment. Most turkey farmers in Maine agree that it is advantageous to keep feed in front of the birds during colder weather because the turkeys increase their calorie intake for warmth, which results in a more desirable yield when their time comes to go to turkey heaven and relinquish their physical selves to the dinner table!
In terms of selecting the "best turkey," Maine turkey producers recommend that shoppers select a bird with a broader breast--an attribute that suggests an abundance of white meat. The sex of the bird is incidental--providing that it has been raised and fed according to the conditions mentioned above.
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