W
e know that Thanksgiving is synonymous with turkey for many, but for two lucky birds, a presidential pardon means they’ll avoid becoming part of the feast.
The whimsical ritual of the presidential turkey pardon is believed to have its roots in the era of President Harry Truman. The National Turkey Federation, an organization dedicated to promoting the turkey industry, has the honor of presenting the official Thanksgiving turkeys to the President. Current chair John Zimmerman sees it as a unique privilege to raise these special birds.
While the turkeys may not grasp the significance of their situation, their fate is undeniably special: “On Thanksgiving, approximately 40 million turkeys are consumed,” shares Zimmerman, a second-generation turkey farmer from Northfield, Minnesota. “Yet, only two receive a presidential pardon.”
As the representative of over 2,500 turkey farms nationwide, Zimmerman oversees the raising of around 4 million pounds of turkeys each year. However, the lucky birds selected for the presidential pardon lead particularly pampered lives. They are treated to an overnight stay at the Willard InterContinental hotel, conveniently located a short distance from the White House in Washington, D.C., and enjoy a soundtrack of tunes ranging from polka to AC/DC.
TIME had the pleasure of chatting with Zimmerman in mid-November about the exceptional care and treatment the chosen turkeys receive. Below is a lightly edited version of our conversation for clarity and brevity.
TIME: How did the tradition of the presidential turkey pardon start?
Zimmerman: The National Turkey Federation first gifted a turkey to the President during Truman’s time in office. Initially, the idea was for the turkey to be served as a meal. However, some believe this may have been inspired by an earlier incident involving Abraham Lincoln, who spared a turkey that his son Tad had befriended. The first official pardon was granted by George H.W. Bush. Since then, pardoned turkeys have found homes in petting zoos and even paraded at Disney World.
When did you begin raising this specific flock of presidential turkeys?
This flock of turkeys hatched in mid-July and will reach around 18 weeks of age by Thanksgiving, fully grown males ready for the occasion.
Why do you raise this particular flock differently from others?
These turkeys will participate in the pardoning ceremony on the South Lawn, where they will encounter crowds, children, and flashing cameras. It’s essential that they acclimate well to such an environment. Although they aren’t pets, we engage with them daily, grooming their feathers and familiarizing them with human interaction. We also play music and expose them to different lighting conditions to prepare them for the potential flash of photographers, as startled birds can become quite distressed.
Can you explain how you select the turkeys for the presidential pardon?
We begin with a flock of 44 birds. The selection process intensifies in the final weeks, focusing on their temperament. We seek calm birds that are comfortable around people, so we test their stillness by placing them on a table. Their plumage also plays a role—birds with the most striking feathers tend to stand out. In the end, we choose the top two based on their appearance and demeanor.
What kind of special treatment do these turkeys receive?
Previous chairs have shared insights on raising these birds. Some suggest they prefer country or rock music, so we blend classic rock with occasional polka to help them adapt to background sounds. We even use a projector to create light displays synchronized with the music to help them get used to sudden movements and noises.
Sometimes, people bring their pets to introduce the turkeys to other animals, which helps them stay calm on the big day. Interestingly, when we played patriotic tunes, especially bugle calls like Taps and Reveille, the turkeys showed a lively response. We even tried to get them to gobble along to “Hail to the Chief,” but progress has been slow.
That sounds exciting! Did you experiment with any specific rock artists for them?
I’m a fan of AC/DC and Metallica, so those tracks are in the mix as well. Yet, it’s the bugle and trumpet sounds that seem to capture their attention the most.
Do you know the names being considered for the two birds?
I don’t have the final say on the names. We held a naming contest at the Minnesota State Fair and gathered suggestions at various agricultural leadership meetings. These names will be submitted to President Biden, who will ultimately make the choice. Last year, the birds were named Liberty and Bell, and previous pairs have included names like Pop and Corn, Caramel and Corn, and Peas and Carrots.
When will you find out which turkeys are heading to the White House?
The turkeys are transported in a minivan for a 16-hour trip to D.C. They’ll have a comfortable area filled with shavings in the back of the vehicle. A few days before the ceremony, someone will collect them, and we’ll likely finalize our selection of the two turkeys less than 24 hours before the event.
What happens to the turkeys that aren’t selected for the presidential pardon?
Unfortunately, the other turkeys will be processed and prepared for consumption like any other turkey. As I often remind people, while 40 million turkeys are served on Thanksgiving, only two are granted a pardon.
Where do the pardoned turkeys go after the ceremony?
Once they receive their pardon, we need to find a suitable home for them. This year, the pardoned turkeys will live at Farmamerica in Waseca, Minnesota, an agricultural interpretive center. It offers visitors, especially school children, an opportunity to learn about agricultural history and food production in Minnesota. The turkeys will enjoy their lives there, contributing to educational experiences for the public.
