A Berkshire turkey farm has recruited an elite team of security guards to protect its precious flock of birds in the run-up to Christmas.
King’s Coppice Farm in Cookham Dean has 30,000 free-range turkeys, but has previously suffered hundreds of losses after foxes sneaked into their hutches – until the owner brought in some alpacas.
Managing director Tom Copas, 32, said foxes would leap over electric fences, evade armed men and dodge traps to get at their birds.
King’s Coppice Farm in Cookham Dean has 30,000 free-range turkeys, but has previously suffered hundreds of losses after foxes sneaked into their hutches – until the owner brought in some alpacas
Managing director Tom Copas, 32, said foxes would leap over electric fences, evade armed men and dodge traps to get at their birds
So, Copas told The Times , he had to take drastic measures – by adopting a couple of alpacas called Sage and Onion. Pictured: The shepherds at work
Alpacas instinctively guard livestock and have been used for the purpose by farmers in South America for centuries. Copas said they proved themselves on the very first night of their watch
So, Copas told The Times, he had to take drastic measures – by adopting a couple of alpacas he named Sage and Onion.
Alpacas instinctively guard livestock and have been used for the purpose by farmers in South America for centuries.
Copas said they proved themselves on the very first night of their watch.
He explained: ‘Once the alpacas worked out where the fox was breaking in they camped out each night, in that corner of the field, and they slept back to back as if they were on look out.
‘We were so impressed with their success that first year that we went out and brought another eight.’
He named the new guards – which cost £200 each – after Santa’s reindeer.
He explained: ‘Once the alpacas worked out where the fox was breaking in they camped out each night, in that corner of the field, and they slept back to back as if they were on look out’
Copas added: ‘We were so impressed with their success that first year that we went out and brought another eight.’ He named the new guards – which cost £200 each – after Santa’s reindeer
Because his birds sell for about £75, they quickly pay for themselves. Copas also told the paper he trains his birds to tolerate the fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night by setting them off in the buildup to November 5
If he did not train his birds to tolerate fireworks, Copas said, they would become terrified and possibly start attacking their fellow turkeys
Because his birds sell for about £75, they quickly pay for themselves.
Copas also the paper he trains his birds to tolerate the fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night by setting them off in the buildup to November 5.
If he did not, he said, they would become terrified and possibly start attacking their fellow turkeys.