Dryden Farms are proud to produce free-range Bronze turkeys for Christmas. We have been producing turkeys at Murton Moor Farm since 1998, when Judith introduced her first flock of 150 KellyBronze turkeys. This has grown over the years and we now rear in excess of 450 bronze turkeys each year.
In 2022, Judith handed over the reins of the business to her daughter in-law Tanza, who continues to run the business with great success. 2024 saw some exciting changes to the way to sell our turkeys when we made the decision to leave the KellyBronze franchise and remarket ourselves as ‘Dryden Turkeys’… Still producing the same high quality delicious turkey, but under our own name!
Our turkeys are bred and raised using environmentally friendly, traditional farming methods and grown to maturity slowly. They live free range with lots of exercise and eat a natural diet of grains and foraging on grassland. Our turkeys are twice the age of a standard intensive turkey, doubling the farming cost, but intensifying the taste. The result of this, is beautifully moist, well marbled and densely textured meat, full of flavour. We pride ourselves on rearing our birds to the highest of welfare standards, and ensuring they are antibiotic free and free of any horrible additives.
Our turkeys arrive with us in June as day old chicks. We like our turkeys to be free range, so as soon as they have enough feathers to keep themselves warm and dry, they are allowed to roam in the fields during the day. We also offer them warm cosy barns to shelter in at night with deep straw beds and plenty of fresh air to ensure they are kept safe from the ‘not so fantastic’ Mr Fox!
Once we come to December, our turkeys are processed on the farm by us as a family. We do not send our turkeys away, everything is done at home, minimising food miles and undue stress on our birds. All of our turkeys are dry plucked by hand which enhances shelf life but also prevents the usual uptake of water, that can occur when birds are plucked using wet methods. Our turkeys are then hung to mature for 14 days at a controlled temperature, which tenderises the meat and gives a huge gain in flavour and texture. Your pre-ordered bird will then be beautifully boxed with full cooking instructions, and a meat thermometer (to help prevent any cooking errors) and will be ready to collect two days before Christmas from our farm in Murton or one of our collection points in the Northeast; Broom House Farm Shop, DH7 6TR or Kirkhale Farm Shop, NE19 2PE.
For further information please call or text Tanza on 07736 018822 or email: tanza@drydenfarms.co.uk who will happily answer any questions you have.
We look forward to welcoming you to our farm this Christmas to collect your Dryden Turkey!
Last year, bird flu had quite an impact on turkey production in the UK, and there were warnings of a big shortage. Thankfully we were not affected here at Murton Moor Farm. We will keep everyone updated as the year goes on.
These are harmless and all turkeys have them. They are just more noticeable on the black pigmented birds! Whilst they may look unsightly, it is impossible to remove every one when hand plucking birds, and most will shrivel during the cooking process.
You should allow approximately 500g of turkey per person for an average meal, when buying whole turkeys and crowns. For breast roasts allow 250g of turkey per person. Everyone likes to have a little left over for sandwiches or leftovers and these portions allow this. Please see the tables below:
Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) | No of People |
4 | 8 | 4 – 6 |
5 | 11 | 6 – 7 |
6 | 13 | 7 – 8 |
7 | 15 | 8 – 10 |
8 | 17 | 10 – 11 |
9 | 20 | 11 – 12 |
10 | 22 | 12 – 13 |
11 | 23 | 13 – 15 |
12 | 26 | 15 plus |
Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) | No of People |
3 – 4 | 7 – 8 | 6 – 8 |
4 – 5 | 8 – 11 | 8 – 10 |
5 – 6 | 11 – 13 | 10 – 12 |
Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) | No of People |
1.0 – 1.8 | 2 – 3 | 4 – 7 |
We accept payment by cash or card on collection. If you wish to pay in advance or by BACs, please contact us.
Murton Moor farm is also accredited by Red Tractor Assurance. Red Tractor Assurance have some of the most comprehensive farm and food standards in the world, and any produce with the red tractor logo on it has been safely produced for you and your family to eat. We work closely with farming experts, vets, animal welfare experts, and agronomists to ensure our produce is farmed to the highest of standards, is traceable and safe, and are proud to be members of Red Tractor Assurance.