UK families gobble up smaller turkeys for COVID-19 Christmas

Coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings are leading UK turkey farmers to think small

Published: October 21, 2020 07:34 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

1 of 11

Squabbling over a treat of apples in autumnal sunshine, Mark Chilcott's feisty turkeys look pretty hefty. In fact, they're a smaller breed destined for downsized family dinners this Covid Christmas. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 11

Chilcott, a 58-year-old organic farmer, prizes quality over quantity at his mixed farm of 440 acres (180 hectares) in Dorset, southwest England. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 11

In the spring, as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, he anticipated no let-up to government curbs on how many people can mix indoors through the end of the year. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 11

So he opted in April for smaller hatchlings from the "bronze" breed of turkey, favouring hens over the larger male stags, and a shrunken flock of 1,200 birds compared to the 1,500 he reared last year. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 11

The hens will reach about 5-6 kilograms (11-13 pounds) in weight - half that of bronze stags, and one-third of the supersized supermarket turkeys which are the centrepiece for traditional British Christmas meals. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 11

Chilcott says that is still plenty for a gathering under the government's "rule of six" in parts of England where households are still allowed to mix. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 11

Restrictions are fast evolving, and many more families will likely be forbidden any visitors by December if infection rates remain high or rise further. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 11

"If we run out of small sizes, then people have to have crowns or joints or half turkeys," the farmer told AFP after tossing fruit to his raucous black flock, a change on their usual diet of grain pellets. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 11

"But we expect to sell out easily this year. Demand's really quite good... as far as sales go, we're ahead of last year." Image Credit: AFP

10 of 11

Other farmers who took the wrong bet, hoping for restrictions to relax by the festive season, risk being saddled with oversized turkeys that could leave smaller family groups bloated with post-Yule curries and sandwiches. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 11

British Poultry Council chief executive Richard Griffiths recommends those suppliers slaughter and freeze their birds earlier, before they have grown to full size. Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

UK families gobble up smaller turkeys for COVID-19 Christmas

More From Photos

Lawyers say 'monster' late Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed abused dozens of women

Mouse grounds SAS flight from Oslo to Malaga

Bank of England freezes rate after jumbo US cut

Evacuations as tail of Storm Boris floods northeast Italy

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

UK families gobble up smaller turkeys for COVID-19 Christmas

More From Photos

Lawyers say 'monster' late Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed abused dozens of women

Mouse grounds SAS flight from Oslo to Malaga

Bank of England freezes rate after jumbo US cut

Evacuations as tail of Storm Boris floods northeast Italy

GULFNEWS SECTIONS