Thanksgiving , an American president `` pardons '' a turkey or 219 million just before Thanksgiving . President Abraham Lincoln 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 . The well-appointed pen includes a small coop to protect them from weather and foxes , and an area for them to strut their stuff for camera-toting tourists . Americans turkeys are bred to be consumed , many of them at Thanksgiving .
Thanksgiving , an American president `` pardons '' a turkey or 219 million just before Thanksgiving . President Abraham Lincoln 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 . Americans turkeys are bred to be consumed , many of them at Thanksgiving .