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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 8th December 2010
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Turkeys from Turkey?
One in five people say that turkeys can fly while one in ten believes the bird originates from Turkey, a new survey reveals.

The poll quizzed 3,000 people about their festive eating habits, how they choose a Christmas bird and how much they know about turkeys in general.

The results revealed that 20 per cent of people believe turkeys can fly with a further 14 per cent not knowing if this is true or not – 66 per cent said they can’t. Ten per cent of people think turkeys originate from Turkey while nearly half have no idea where they come from. Only 11 per cent know that a male turkey is called a stag.

Mike Bailey, a seasonal producer and vice-chairman of the NFU poultry board representing turkeys, said: “It has been fascinating to find out how much our customers know about turkeys. One of the more interesting findings is that public opinion is split on the age-old question of whether turkeys can fly or not and although you are not going to see them flying south for winter, turkeys can actually get off the ground for a short distance.

“I am pleased to add that 67 per cent of British public will tuck into turkey as their main meal on Christmas Day, with 58 per cent saying they will buy fresh. It is also interesting that 39 per cent will buy from a butcher, directly from the farm or a local market. This compares to 52 per cent who intend to buy from a supermarket. The survey revealed what their biggest priorities are when choosing a turkey, 61 per cent of people plump for quality, ahead of price (26 per cent), which means they put quality above the price for this most important meal of the year.”

Some other survey results:
  • People in the North East are least likely to eat turkey this Christmas as their main meal, with those in the North West most likely
  • Londoners are most likely to eat a fresh turkey on the day – people in the West Midlands are more keen on frozen
  • 39 per cent of people only eat turkey at Christmas but 80 per cent of people eat chicken at least once a fortnight
  • Other popular meats served up on Christmas Day include chicken, goose, duck, venison, salmon, ham and gammon

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.