The bird on the table on the 25th almost certainly began life when it was artificially hatched and introduced into large windowless sheds. There, life was crammed into a hectic eating period of between 12 and 26 weeks, with temperature, ventilation and lighting controlled artificially as the birds wandered on a bed of wood shavings.
Death came when the turkey weighed between 7kg (16lb) and 35kg (80lb). Genetic selection for high meat yield means they are nearly twice the average weight of their ancestors of 25 years ago.
Turkey, the wild variety, hit Britain in 1541, having been brought to Europe by the Spanish, courtesy of the Aztecs in Mexico. It was hunted to wipe-out stage by the 19th century.
In the latter part of this century, the bird has become the favoured Christmas fare in Britain and here. About 800,000 are consumed in the festive period.
The birds themselves have been raised on a vegetarian diet dominated by cereals, soyabean meal and oilseed rape with concentrates (minerals/vitamins), says Irish Farmers' Association poultry expert Ned Walsh. They are routinely vaccinated for various diseases.
Turkeys reared on farms may not be fed meat or bonemeal, under strict BSE regulations applying to on-farm animals and poultry.
Large turkey (non-ruminant) operations may use meat and bonemeal under strict licensing conditions. They may also feed offal meal, but only if it comes from specially-licensed feed mills.
Turkeys are sold as "fresh oven ready" aimed at the supermarket trade, "New York dressed" (killed, plucked and hung for special flavour and sold in marts and butchers' shops), frozen or free-range.
Free-range turkeys, less than 2 per cent of the market but increasing, are associated with smaller flocks and more open ground.
But producers are not subject to the kind of regulations on housing, feed and veterinary medication applying to organic operations.
The organic concept has, however, not taken hold because of difficulty in making it cost-effective.
Under Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association rules, the turkeys must live in a specified amount of space, with access to pasture. Flocks are of limited size.
Medication is restricted, with no routine vaccination. Where drugs are allowed, withdrawal periods are longer than usual.
