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A turkey in his natural surroundings enjoying the sunshine
Turkeys are native to North America and at up to 4ft from head to tail, they are the largest birds found in the temperate parts of the world. These are birds of woodlands and while they spend their days foraging on the ground for something good to eat, at night they roost in trees. The typical diet of a turkey includes grubs, insects, spiders, seeds, grains and berries and, as they consume large quantities of pests, their prescence is of great benefit to the environment.
Most people are suprised to learn that such a large creature can fly, but in fact this handsome bronze and glossy feathered bird is able to reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Turkeys are sociable creatures who live in peaceful communities, much of the time these are single sex - girls hang out with other girls, the lads go round in groups together. It's during the Spring mating season that it all changes, the flock splits up and choose partners. There will be sub-groups of five or six - one male and the rest his 'harem' of wives. When the male is courting his ladies, he'll display his tail feathers like a fan - it's an impressive sight.
The female turkey makes a nest on the ground in May or June. She's choosy about her nursery and likes to find a private spot most likely hidden in tall grasses or soft earth behind a tree. Laying between six and eighteen eggs, she'll sit on them until they hatch in 28 days time. The turkey mother is fiercely protective of her chicks and teaches them to stay close and follow her around while they feed. At night they'll roost in a tree with her, safe from predators. Turkeys naturally avoid humans and are able to run very fast to escape from danger. Despite their size they are sensitive and easily frightened but these are regal and handsome birds and it's an impressive sight to catch a glimpse of them in their natural surroundings.
After their discovery when we colonized the New World they were subsequently brought to Europe - and that's when their problems began. It was soon realised that turkeys were cheap to rear for the amount of meat produced and many distinct domestic turkey 'types' were developed by selective breeding. It wasn't until the 1940's that they began to be intensively factory produced.
Bernard Matthews, who has massive turkey factories in Suffolk and in Hungary, is one of the largest ( if not the
largest) producer of factory turkeys in the world. It's a miserable life for these beautiful birds. After being machine incubated, they are kept in a hatchery until the young chicks are transported to the battery sheds where they will spend the remainder of their short lives. They are kept in dimly lit sheds in terribly overcrowded and cramped conditions and the young birds are reared to grow as large as possible.
At approximately three months old they are taken to a processing plant where, while still alive, they are hung upside down on a moving belt. As the conveyor goes along, they are first stunned with an electric shock, then their necks are cut. This is the general way of processing turkeys in the industry. Hardly 'bootiful' is it?
This is not an acceptable way to treat any species on our planet. We request that urgent action be taken by the Government to ban the factory production of turkeys in the United Kingdom.
Please add your signature to our petition and help us to stop this ghastly factory farming industry.
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