Waddle the Turkey Meets the Press at the White House Before Thanksgiving Pardon

Waddle's White House Experience

• 🦃 Waddle, the alternate Thanksgiving turkey, met the press at the White House, alongside the National Turkey Federation.
• 💡 Waddle and Gobble, the national Thanksgiving turkey, were raised on a farm in North Carolina with extra care.
• 🎓 Following their White House duties, both turkeys will retire to North Carolina State University to serve as turkey ambassadors.

Turkey's Diet and Behavior

• 🏀 Waddle enjoys basketball and sweet potatoes, and weighs approximately 50 pounds.
• 🌽 Their daily routine includes constant feed and water, and they enjoy strutting, a behavior where male turkeys (toms) fluff their chests to attract females or regulate body temperature.
• 🌾 Their diet consists of corn, soybeans, and essential vitamins and minerals.

The Thanksgiving Turkey Tradition

• 🌟 This event marks the 78th presentation of a national Thanksgiving turkey, a significant honor for the U.S. Turkey industry.
• 🎤 The turkeys had a busy schedule, including a red carpet welcome and over 20 interviews prior to the official pardon ceremony.
• 🤝 Waddle is receiving a pardon, with Gobble serving as the national Thanksgiving turkey and alternate.