Frequently Asked Questions


What makes our Christmas turkeys taste so delicious?

We use time-honoured artisan methods to produce turkeys that are beautifully tender, succulent and full of flavour. Every Forest Lodge turkey is:

  • Slowly grown and hand-reared for 25 weeks

  • Raised in a spacious, natural environment

  • Never given growth-promoting additives

  • Carefully dry-plucked by hand

  • Dry-aged and game-hung for two weeks

What do our turkeys eat?

Our turkeys enjoy a specially tailored, nutritionally balanced diet containing:

  • Wheat

  • Oats

  • Rapeseed

  • Soya

  • Vegetable oils

We never use added drugs, additives or growth promoters.

Who do we supply our Christmas turkeys to?

Our Christmas turkeys are sold directly local customers, independent butchers and farm shops.

Are your Christmas turkeys farm-to-table?

Our bronze turkey poults come from Kelly Turkeys’ hatchery in Danbury and arrive at Forest Lodge Farm when they are just one day old. We carefully rear them here on the farm until they reach full maturity, before preparing each turkey by hand on-site using traditional methods. Once oven-ready, our turkeys are supplied directly to local customers, independent butchers and farm shops—ensuring the freshest possible bird for Christmas.

Do you have specific industry quality and welfare standards?

We are members of the Traditional Farmfresh Turkey Association (TFTA) and the Golden Turkey Quality Assurance scheme. Members are required to meet strict standards for turkey quality and welfare, with regular independent inspections carried out by Kiwa and PAI auditors.

What is a turkey crown?

The breast of the bird still attached to the bone with the legs and wings removed.

How long have we been rearing Christmas turkeys?

We have been rearing Christmas turkeys at Forest Lodge Farm for more than 60 years, spanning four generations of the Wreathall family.

How do I collect my Christmas turkey?

All orders can be collected from our farm shop, located directly opposite The Ship pub on Stock Road in Stock, Essex. To make collection as quick and convenient as possible, we operate a drive-through service. Simply remain in your car and a member of our team will bring your Christmas turkey directly to you.

Our Christmas collection times are:

23 December: 8am–4pm

24 December: 8am–3pm

If you need to collect your order on another date, please contact us whn placing your order. We will always do our best to accommodate your request.

Can you deliver my Christmas turkey?

Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to deliver orders directly to you, however if you are in a vulnerable group, shielding and are concerned about collection please contact us directly and we will do all we can to help.

Do you sell any other products?

On collection days, we will be selling a limited selection of sausages, bacon and other products sourced from our local butcher shop.

Any other questions?

Please do not hesitate to contact us directly, we are always happy to hear from our customers.