Shropshire Star

The Shropshire turkey who IS voting for Christmas

The cupboard in this Shropshire kitchen looks more inviting than the oven for this young turkey. But Red needn't fear the chop this Christmas. For the past few months she has been more of a family friend than a potential meal. When Red the turkey injured her foot, Sally Barnett and her partner Keith Burgess immediately brought her in from the cold to offer her love and attention. But the longer that she stayed in the house - and the nearer Christmas became - the bigger their predicament grew. Now Red has been spared the Christmas chop because the couple, of Hinstock, near Market Drayton, simply could not contemplate cooking the turkey. And pal Jack, the 14-month-old goose, has also been spared and is now looking forward to a Christmas as part of the family. Full story in today's paper

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For the past few months she has been more of a family friend than a potential meal. When Red the turkey injured her foot, Sally Barnett and her partner Keith Burgess immediately brought her in from the cold to offer her love and attention.

But the longer that she stayed in the house - and the nearer Christmas became - the bigger their predicament grew.

Now Red has been spared the Christmas chop because the couple, of Hinstock, near Market Drayton, simply could not contemplate cooking the turkey.

And pal Jack, the 14-month-old goose, has also been spared and is now looking forward to a Christmas as part of the family.

He has become very much part of the family, wearing a nappy, watching television, going on holiday and sometimes even sleeping in the couple's bed.

Jack has also become famous, having his own Facebook page and more than 100 friends from across the world as far as America.

Red is recovering in the house until she is fit enough to return outside when the couple hope to use her for breeding.

Sally said: "We have become very attached to Red and Jack and there is no way we could have them for Christmas dinner, especially Red who we have just spent about £150 on in vets bills to help with her poorly foot.

"Jack is very much the boss compared to all of the other animals and is spoilt. He spends his days wandering around before coming indoors every night.

"He either sleeps in the kitchen or sometimes comes up to bed with us. He has become well-known through Facebook and even has other goose friends around the world.

"They seem to get on well with each other and have become part of the family.

"I am not sure what we will be eating for Christmas dinner. Both of us have got to work so we will probably just have chilli."

The couple own about 180 birds, including chickens, ducks and pheasants, as well as rheas, Bonnie and Clyde, and bronze turkeys, Spud, Sprout, Swede and Parsnip.

By James Pugh

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