Select Rare Breeds
As well as our famous Norfolk Black Turkey, we also rear other select rare breeds including the Cambridge Bronze, Lavender, Bourbon Red and Narragansett.
Peele's Norfolk Black Turkey
Our original breed of turkey for which we are credited with saving from extinction has distinctive black feathers, black legs and a prominent high breastbone. The meat is fine-grained, white, succulent and full of delicious gamey flavour. This is a good all-round bird and will not disappoint eager diners; Henry VIII regularly feasted on it! We are a Rick Stein Food Hero and are featured in Delia Smith's Delia's Happy Christmas.
Don't be fooled by turkeys masquerading as Blacks; our birds are not hybridised and there is no substitute for a Peele's Norfolk Black Turkey.
Cambridge Bronze
This is a slightly heavier turkey, with bronze plumage and a full breast. The breed does not have the same fat cover as a Norfolk Black turkey but it has a better flavour than standard white turkeys.
Lavender
This wonderfully flavoursome bird derives its name from the unusual grey-blue plumage. It has a long narrow breast that that remains moist when cooking due to good fat cover, and is growing in popularity by 'foodies' across the region. Stags can reach up to 20lbs/10kg in weight; hens tend to be on the smaller side, with an average weight of 10lbs/4.5kg.
Bourbon Red
Originally from America, this russet-brown and white-feathered bird is 'nuttier' in flavour compared to the Norfolk Black turkey and Cambridge Bronze. It has a pinky flesh and carries less fat, therefore cooking times are more critical. Weights can be variable.
Narragansett
This is another North American bird which was domesticated by the Native Americans and is the 'wildest' of all our turkeys (they like to fly and roost in our trees). The Narragansett features a russet, brown-black plumage with silvery-white flecks, a long neck and leg, and a high breast bone. This is a tasty turkey that is similar in flavour to the Cambridge Bronze.
