March 19th is National Poultry Day! There are no fowl moods or ruffled feathers. However, there may be some quackers and gobbling going on.
Poultry refers to domestic birds that are raised for meat and eggs. These birds include chicken, turkey, ducks, geese, quail, and pheasant. Poultry is farmed in large numbers with chickens being the most numerous.
It is believed that chicken was introduced to American soil by European explorers in the 16th century. Most Americans raised small flocks, enough to feed their families. Over time, chicken consumption in the United States increased. And during World War II, due to a shortage of beef and pork, chicken stepped in to fill the protein need.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees poultry production in the United States. Estimates place production at around 9 billion chickens in the United States. Chicken and turkey are lower in fats and cholesterol than other meats.
Poultry can be prepared in many different ways including roasting, baking, frying, grilling, sautéing, steaming, and broasting. The size of the chicken typically determines the best cooking style to use.
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