Entertainment

In Pictures: Alpacas ensure turkeys are safe – at least until Christmas

Copas Traditional Turkeys farm in Cookham, near Maidenhead, has found a novel way to keep foxes at bay.
Copas Traditional Turkeys farm in Cookham, near Maidenhead, has found a novel way to keep foxes at bay.

Turkeys and alpacas may not seem like the most obvious field friends, but a farm in Berkshire has found the four-legged camelids are the perfect answer to protect their flocks ahead of Christmas.

The free-range turkeys at Copas Traditional Turkeys farm in Cookham, near Maidenhead, are watched over by alpacas as they wander their habitat, in an effort to deter foxes and other predators.

The PA news agency was invited along to see the watchful herd at work.

Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)

In past years the farm had suffered hundreds of turkey deaths when foxes and other pests had found their way in.

Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)

The alpaca guards were introduced in 2015. The family farm has been in the turkey business since 1957.

Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Alpacas guard turkeys on farm
(Steve Parsons/PA)