By Rachel Horne Working Lunch

Rachel meets the turkeys in the Essex countryside Watch: Rachel's report

Kelly Turkeys only sell free range traditional bronze, rather than white birds. But this year Paul decided free range doesn't go far enough.

So it was with a slight sense of nervousness that Matt the camera man and I piled into Paul's truck to drive to the 10 acres where he's released almost 3,000 woodland turkeys.

The turkeys have been living in a woodland since August

As we arrived a swarm of black feathers greeted us. Pecking and gobbling they circled at knee level, taking particular interest in my microphone wire, and the camera tripod.

The turkeys have been living in the woodland since August, protected by a fox proof fence and collie dogs Freddie and Herbie.

To try and ensure the dogs would guard the birds they lived with turkey chicks, or poults, when they were pups.

Paul sells around 38,000 Kellybronze turkeys every Christmas

But today surrounded by almost 3,000 curious turkeys it seems that it's the dogs' safety Paul should be worried about.

The turkeys have another month or so in the wild before they'll be rounded up for plucking, hanging and eating.

Paul sells around 38,000 Kellybronze turkeys every Christmas; from the farm gate, through a home delivery service and from independent butchers.

Some eggs are used to hatch turkeys for the farm

But Paul hopes to grow the business through franchised Kellybronze farmers and in the next three years he wants to increase the woodland project to 40,000 turkeys.

So if you're going for a walk in the Essex countryside - watch out - you might just find yourself on a wild turkey chase.