A Note on Your Christmas Turkey & New Avian Flu Measures
What's Happening?
You may have seen in the news that APHA (the Animal and Plant Health Agency) has reported a significant increase in Avian Influenza (AI) cases in both wild and kept birds across the country. We wanted to update you transparently on what this means for us here at the farm.
To protect poultry and captive birds, APHA has implemented a new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory housing measures. This new rule came into effect at 00:01 on 30th October.
These measures apply to all keepers of over 50 birds, and any keeper (even those with fewer than 50 birds) who sells poultry products, within a long list of specified counties.
These measures apply to all keepers of over 50 birds, and any keeper (even those with fewer than 50 birds) who sells poultry products, within a long list of specified counties.
This list of counties includes our home, Norfolk.
What This Means for Your Morton's Farm Turkey
In full compliance with this government mandate, and to ensure the health and safety of our flocks, all our free-range turkeys and cockerels are now being housed indoors as of 30/10/25.
We know you choose Morton's Farm for our commitment to high-welfare, free-range farming—a value that is at the core of everything we do. This is an essential and legal measure to protect our birds from contact with wild birds, keeping them safe and healthy.
Their welfare remains our absolute highest priority. We are ensuring they are safe, comfortable, and well-cared for within their barns.
We wanted to be completely transparent and give you a little more detail and peace of mind about what this actually looks like for our turkeys here at Morton's Farm.
We know you choose us because you, like us, believe in the free-range ethos. The word 'indoors' can be worrying, and we want to provide you some reassurance about the space and comfort our birds have.
Ample Room and High Welfare
Our turkeys are housed in a large, airy barn that is 40 metres long by 8 metres wide, giving them a total of 320 square metres of space.
This means our birds have significantly more space than the requirement. It gives the birds ample room to move, stretch, and behave naturally within their safe, protected environment, with plenty of fresh bedding, food, and water.
We are so grateful for your continued loyalty and understanding during this challenging time for all poultry farmers. We will, of course, keep you updated if the situation changes.
If you would like to read the official government guidance, you can do so here: www.gov.uk/bird-flu
If you have any questions please feel free to drop us an email to enquiries@mortonsfarm.co.uk
