Our organic free range turkeys

The Christmas turkey flock begins with early preparation each summer. We rear a mixture of traditional and heritage breeds - Norfolk Bronze, and Norfolk Blacks, Bourbon Reds & Slate Greys. They live free-range on the Berkshire Downs, and develop a superb flavour which keeps our customers coming back year after year.

Getting the best possible start

The poultry team clean and sterilise the sheds in June and erect a temporary brooding house ready for the arrival of the day-old turkey chicks. The chicks settle in pens with heat lights to keep them warm, ad-lib feed and with constant access to fresh water. As they grow we expand the pens until they are about three weeks old, when we remove the pen and they are given the run of the building and the straw bedding.

The great outdoors

By four weeks old they have grown proper outdoor plumage and are ready to move to their field. Here they are allowed to roam freely with access to a large wood. When you arrive at the turkey field the birds charge across and come to meet you!

Each night we gather them to roost in their houses to protect them from predators. Just like the chickens, the turkeys have overnight accommodation in mobile houses. Turkeys are very curious creatures and we provide lots of ‘toys’ and a diverse environment to satisfy their inquisitive nature. Old CDs suspended on string seems to be a great favourite.

We weigh the birds on a regular basis to check what sizes we will have available for our direct sales. Normally we are sold out by the end of November and we then have to juggle weights to orders as unfortunately we can't tell the birds to get to a certain size! So order early! Please check availability with our sales team. Following slaughter the turkeys are all hung for two weeks in our chillers to produce the best possible flavour.

Yes, you can reserve your Christmas turkey now! Please call our sales team to order your turkey from Sheepdrove Organic Farm. Tel: 01488 674747

Or buy our delicious organic poultry at our online shop.