History - Peele's Black Turkeys

Our History

FOR FOUR GENERATIONS my family has been rearing the Norfolk Black turkey, a breed that my grandfather saved from extinction in the 1950s. The Norfolk Black originated in South America and was introduced to Europe by the Spanish explorer Pedro Nino around 1500. It has striking jet-black plummage, but the Norfolk Black is most celebrated for its finely-textured meat which has a slightly gamey flavour.

We allow our turkeys to mate naturally and all our poults are reared outside and allowed to mature slowly. The rations we feed are mixed on our farm using our own home-grown wheat, barley, oats and beans and whole corn is fed to add a ‘bloom’ to the finished birds. All our turkeys are free range, additive and antibiotic free and are reared on organic meadowland.

To enhance these traditional rearing methods we hand pluck and hang our birds for at least a week, and every turkey is prepared for your table by hand. An average oven-ready weight of 10-12lbs (hens) and 18-21lbs (stags) is normal for the Norfolk Black turkey. To help offer a larger range of weights we also breed the Cambridge Bronze Turkey and in conjunction with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust we are also rearing the Bourbon Red, Lavender and Narrangansett breeds.

Peele’s Norfolk Black Turkeys is a Rick Stein Food Hero and was featured in his first BBC TV series. We are also featured in Delia Smith’s Delia’s Happy Christmas, listed as one of her faithful suppliers.

Edwin and Emma Peele move from Long Sutton, Lincolnshire.

1863

The family re-locate to Stanfield Hall Farm near Wymondham, Norfolk. The two eldest sons, Ernest Edwin Peele (1864) and John George Peele(1865) run the farm and continue the turkey business known as Peele’s Norfolk Turkeys.

1880

Stumpers at Stanfield Hall Farm. Transport by horse and wagon, wicker baskets with rough plucked birds.

1905

Frank Peele aged 12 grading turkeys.

1912

Steam transport first used for consignment of turkeys to London.

1913

Kathleen, Muriel & Mary driving turkeys at Morley Manor.

1920's

Attleborough station with Mr Forder, droving turkeys from Leys Farm for Ernest Peele.

1930's

Frank and Gertrude Peele move to Rookery Farm Thuxton.

1932

1936

The War years, turkeys reared outside, fed using old Morris car.

1940's

Demand for cheap meat and quick growing white turkeys begin to dominate poultry sales. Frank Peele still favours the Norfolk Black Turkey and breeding programme to save the birds from extinction and is a founder member of the British Turkey Federation.

1950's

British Turkey Federation formed.

1951

Frank Peele becomes President of the Norfolk branch of the British Turkey Federation.

1952

1953/54

Frank Peele wins Challenge Cup at National Poultry Show held at Olympia London.

1956

Frank Peele passes away. Gertrude and Paddy continue his legacy.

1980

James Edwin Peele Graham, 4th generation continues the family business and expands breeding programme alongside other rare breeds of turkeys.

1989

1990

Re-enactment of Turkey Droving through Attleborough, 60years on after Ernest Peele’s time

1996

1997

1998

Rick Stein Food Hero. James is in the top 3 of the BBC National Food Awards. Features in Speciality Food Magazine - November, Dereham & Fakenham Times - November and Country Living Magazine - December.

2002