Each year , an American president `` pardons '' a turkey or two just before Thanksgiving . President Barack Obama has sent his turkeys to Mt . Vernon for their `` twilight years '' ` Your native bird can fly beautifully and roost in trees , '' Norton said , while the type that receive pardons `` does not fly , has very short stubbly legs and typically last right up to Thanksgiving . '' But a pardon just means the birds are n't stuffed and eaten ; they 're not expected to live long . They will be put on display in a special exhibit at the White House until January of next year.
Each year , an American president `` pardons '' a turkey or two just before Thanksgiving . President Barack Obama has sent his turkeys to Mt . Vernon for their `` twilight years '' But a pardon just means the birds are n't stuffed and eaten ; they 're not expected to live long . They will be put on display in a special exhibit at the White House until January of next year.