Music will be played to turkeys

The music on the disc has been compiled with help from animal behaviour experts at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh.

It is hoped that the 10 tunes will have a calming influence on the turkeys.

The music includes Gregorian chants, wind chimes, trotting horses and whale noises - as well as the sound of happy turkeys.

The relaxation CD will be sent to farmers involved in the NFU's turkey hotline, which puts shoppers in touch with their nearest farm selling fresh turkeys for Christmas.

The experiment is being carried out by the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

TURKEY TOP 10 Wind chimes Happy turkeys Gregorian chanting Dawn chorus Sounds of the forest Sounds of the seaside Wind on the moors Trotting horses Farmyard sounds Whale sounds

NFU turkey spokesman Mike Bailey said: "It is well known among farmers that a background of constant sound calms birds, probably because it drowns out unexpected noise.

"British farmers care about their animals so now we want to put this theory to the test and get a definitive answer which will help turkey producers in future years.

"Our 'turkey top 10' includes many naturally calming sounds that we hope will have a positive Effect on the turkeys' behaviour.

"There won't be a Birdie Song in sight."

Change needed

However, campaigning group Advocates for Animals said the initiative would do little to improve turkeys' lives.

"It has got nothing to do with trying to help the birds through music," said director Les Ward.

"It is the conditions and the system that the birds are being kept in that is important and they need to change that."