Turkeys ‘escape from farm’ just before Christmas cull

Large number of birds spotted by walkers in Suffolk woodlands

Walkers were stunned to stumble across the 50-strong group of birds (Getty Images)

A large group of turkeys has been spotted roaming free after they apparently escaped from a poultry farm in East Anglia just before a huge Christmas cull.

The turkeys were seen near the village of Red Lodge, Suffolk, which is just two miles from a farm run by Traditional Norfolk Poultry which breeds the birds.

Walkers were stunned to stumble across the 50-strong group of birds, for which the collective noun is a “rafter”, which appeared to be loose in woodland on Saturday morning.

A woman who spotted the turkeys said: “I was just surprised to see that many.

“I think they escaped from a nearby farm, but I think turkeys tend to go back, so they might have done.”

Another walker filmed the gang of birds as it wandered through woodland clearings and posted the footage on Facebook.

Members of the public were concerned about the birds’ welfare and one witness even offered up their land for the turkeys to stay on.

However this morning the whereabouts and identity of the birds’ owners remained a mystery.

It’s not clear whether or not the turkeys have been returned to their home.

The Independent has contacted Traditional Norfolk Poultry for comment.

Traditional Norfolk Poultry breed free-range and organic Norfolk Black and Norfolk Bronze turkeys which are renowned for their succulent meat and gamey flavour.

According to news agency SWNS, a spokeswoman for the firm said: “We’ve had no reports of any turkeys escaping.”

Additional reporting by agencies