Our Story

Salix Farm has been producing traditional turkeys for the Christmas market for more than 60 years.  All of our turkeys are hand reared, free range and receive an exceptionally high level of care which ensures their superior quality and succulent flavour.

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The turkeys arrive at the farm in Essex as day-old chicks in the middle of June. During their first few weeks they are housed in modern sheds, in small groups under heaters and receive constant care and attention. At the end of August they are moved to large open sided pole barns with straw bedding and during the day they are free to roam around a 4-acre paddock. With the help of our trusty sheepdog Jess, they are brought inside each evening to protect them from Mr Fox!

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Our  free range Christmas  turkeys are fattened on rations containing at least 70% cereals with no animal protein and are never given antibiotics or other additives to promote growth.

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In December, our free range turkeys are dry plucked and then hung for at least a week in a chilled store to give them their beautiful, succulent flavour. The Christmas turkeys are presented in attractive carry-home boxes, wrapped in greaseproof paper and accompanied by cooking instructions, a recipe leaflet and a pop-up thermometer.

 

Salix Farm is a small family farm situated in the picturesque village of Great Sampford in rural north-west Essex. The farm is run by Mark Lindsell with help from his brother, Simon and parents Mike and Sue following on from Mike’s late father Penny who started farming in 1946. We farm 400 acres of arable land growing wheat, barley and sugar beet, as well as the 4,000 turkeys reared for the Christmas market. We also have a 2-acre vineyard on the farm.