The World’s Biggest Turkey: A Gobble-worthy Tale of Tyson the Heavyweight Champ

Thanksgiving is a time to spend with loved ones, friends, and, of course, the main course—the turkey. But have you ever wondered just how big these birds can get? If so, get ready to dive into the tale of Tyson, the heaviest turkey in the world! Hold on to your drumsticks!

Tyson: A Heavyweight Champ

Back in 1989, a competition in London, UK, set out to find the heaviest turkey in the world And the winner, with a whopping weight of 86 pounds (3909 kg), was a stag (male adult turkey) named Tyson.

Just how big is 86 pounds?

Think about it: Tyson weighed as much as two normal human legs, four gold bars, or two 4-year-old children huddled up in a trench coat! That’s one big bird!

What happened to Tyson?

Following his triumph, Tyson put himself up for charity auction, where he brought in an amazing £4,400 (roughly $6,692 at the time). He truly was a champion both in size and in spirit!.

Other notable turkeys:

Although Tyson currently holds the world record, there have been other turkeys that have been nearly as large.

• In 2006, a Merriam’s turkey weighing 31.56 pounds (14.32 kg) was captured by George Connors.
• In 2002, a Rio Grande turkey weighing 37.125 pounds (16.84 kg) was killed in Oregon.
• In 2015, an Eastern turkey weighing 37.61 pounds (17.06 kg) was killed by David Cody in Kentucky.

Cooking a giant turkey: Mission impossible?

While these turkeys are impressive in size, cooking them in a standard oven might be a challenge. Most ovens can handle a 22-pound bird, and Tyson was nearly four times that weight! So, unless you have a commercial-grade oven, you might want to stick to a more manageable size for your Thanksgiving feast.

Safety first when deep-frying:

If you’re thinking about deep-frying your turkey, remember to prioritize safety. Each year, deep-frying partially or fully frozen turkeys results in mishaps and injuries. The turkey may explode due to the disparity in density between oil and water, which could have catastrophic results.

So, enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey, no matter the size!

Whether you’re cooking a standard-sized bird or dreaming of a Tyson-sized feast, remember to enjoy the spirit of Thanksgiving with your loved ones. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll encounter a turkey that rivals Tyson in size!