Three generations of the Copas family have been farming close to Cookham since 1901, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that turkey rearing took off…

Tom Copas Senior was given 153 turkeys to raise by his father in 1957. A teenager and full of energy, his father thought it was time he had a hobby to keep him busy. This gift became respected heritage Brand Copas Traditional Turkeys which is now a flourishing business in its 63rd year with the late Tom and Brenda’s son, Tom at the helm.

There are more than 10 traditional breeds on the farm which arrive as hatchlings just a few days old in June from specialist British hatcheries. They have a short but happy life roaming in cherry orchards and meadows as soon as they are old enough, usually from six weeks until they are 5-7 months, under the watchful eye of Peruvian Alpacas.

The orchards and natural game cover for the free-range birds mean the farm is also home to a wide range of wildlife from birds to butterflies, as well as providing nectar for five beehives.

This also allows for the traditional method of hand dry plucking. While it is labour intensive to pluck the birds this way, it means they can be dry-hung for two weeks, intensifying their natural game flavour.

The run up to Christmas is always busy as the last birds are prepared for delivery countrywide and collection from the farm right up to the 23rd December.