In the early 1950s the Norfolk Black turkey was close to disappearing, squeezed out by whiter birds that were cheaper and quicker to produce. Peele's Norfolk Black Turkeys, at Rookery Farm in Thuxton near Norwich, is a large part of the reason it didn't. Frank Peele worked with the Ministry of Agriculture's research station at Morley to set up a breeding programme for the breed. His grandson James Graham still runs it. He's the fourth generation of a family that has reared turkeys since 1880. The birds mate naturally, and most of their feed is grown in the farm's own arable fields. The Norfolk Black is generally reckoned Britain's oldest turkey breed. It's lighter than a Bronze, making it a sensible choice if you're feeding six or eight. Peele's sends turkeys across the country for delivery on 21 or 22 December. You can also collect from the farm on 22 or 23 December, between nine and six, or on Christmas Eve morning until midday. Orders for collection close on 21 December, and it's worth ringing the farm about late availability. Plenty of places sell a Norfolk Black now. This is the farm that kept the breed going long enough for them to.

Awards and Recognition

Frank Peele's breeding programme for the Norfolk Black, set up with the Ministry of Agriculture's research station at Morley in the 1950s, is still run on the farm by his grandson, James Graham.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peelesnorfolkblackturkeys

Can people visit or buy direct?

For Christmas you can order online for national delivery on 21 or 22 December, or for collection from Rookery Farm on 22 and 23 December (9am to 6pm) and 24 December (8am to noon). Collection orders close on 21 December. Ring 01362 850237 to check late availability.

Website

https://peeles-blackturkeys.co.uk

Address Summary

Thuxton, Norwich, Norfolk