Poultry wrap up warm for winter

There is a real philosophy behind the dressing-up, the farm says

A gaggle of Cheshire geese are being given special treatment this winter with woolly hats and scarves.

Farmers hope that keeping out the chill will lead to happier, fatter - and therefore tastier - poultry for their Christmas customers.

Despite the unseasonably warm December weather, Holly Tree Farm in Knutsford is taking no chances and wrapping up its Geese and Turkeys.

Owner Karol Bailey said that "pleased poultry makes tasty poultry".

"It is important that animal welfare is of the highest standard to enable the animals to grow and produce tasty, flavoursome meat.

"During the winter months, turkeys and geese really suffer from the cold weather and consequently aren't very happy.

"By keeping our poultry warm with hats and scarves, we're more likely to produce better tasting meat."

'Makes sense'

The birds wandering around the farm have been dressed in festive red scarves, making them look like characters in a Beatrix Potter book.

But regional food group North West Fine Foods believes there is a sound philosophy behind the gimmick.

Sue Nelson, chief executive, said: "The difference between cheap supermarket meat and that produced by a small independent farmer, is the quality, flavour and taste.

"It's lovely to see how well looked-after the animals on Holly Tree Farm are and it makes perfect sense that the happier they are, the better they taste."