Brand of Turkeys in UK

Sorry, I am not sure it this belongs in the thanksgiving thread please move if moderators think so.

So I ordered a Kelly Bronze Turkey from the butcher.  Supposedly these are all natural and free range best turkeys in the UK.  But all he can get is a a frozen Kelly Bronze.  I was fine with paying 50 pounds for it when I realized that similar sized frozen turkey's in the grocery were about 40 pounds.

Now both Somerfield and Tesco have the Bernard Matthews Turkeys for only 20 pounds.  It is now a big enough difference in price that I need advice.  Has anyone tried the Bernard Matthews turkey.  Is it quality?  I would hate to put the effort and time into a turkey that is not good but in the same way I think a frozen turkey is a frozen turkey.

Any help from someone who has tried them?  THanks

I wouldn't get a Bernard Matthews turkey if I could choose to get another one. They're lunch meats are not that great and my DH is always banging on about how they're full of antibiotics and preservatives.

I wouldn't get a Bernard Matthews turkey if I could choose to get another one. They're lunch meats are not that great and my DH is always banging on about how they're full of antibiotics and preservatives.

bleh, I wouldn't eat a Bernard Matthews turkey for similar reasons to your DH, I think they're injected with water, and can't imagine them tasting good at all. I would go for a frozen free range over a Bernard Matthews any day, but... £50 does seem a lot for a frozen turkey - is it giant?

I got a Free Range Norfolk bronze from Whole foods (fresh) yesterday, it's a medium one and it cost me £36.

Also, If you want a fresh turkey, there's free range turkeys available to order from Abel and Cole
http://www.abelandcole.co.uk/Christmas/meat/turkey

and from M&S (delivery to store for pick up) (free range and organic)
http://www.marksandspencer.com/Christmas-Food-to-Order-E-Catalogues-Whats-New/b/64294031

For about what you're paying for a frozen

It'll be a Bernard Matthews turkey here for Thanksgiving!  They are actually pretty good for the price.

I'm sure Kelly Bronzes are good turkeys, but I can't help but think they're a bit of a rip-off because of the name. Have you looked at local farm shops and butchers? You could probably get a fresh turkey for far less than £50.

Farm near us (Somerset)

Bronze   7-9lb   £36.00   
White    9-12lb  £37.00   
White    12-15lb £44.00   
Bronze   12-15lb £50.00   
White    18-20lb £53.00   
Turkey   18-20lb £59.00

"Traditional Barn reared on straw with no growth promoters"

I'd rather have hamburger for thanksgiving than give Bernard Matthews a penny of my money.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Matthews

(There are many many more sites citing their cruel methods. It just enrages me reading them so I stopped looking).

With staff playing baseball with live turkeys right up to having to cull 160,000 turkeys due to bird flu (primarily due to birds being kept in appalling conditions), the company's animal cruelty culture is a travesty.

Depends on how whether cost is an issue for you. Not everyone has the luxury/desire to boycott companies on the grounds of cruelty.

I'd rather have hamburger for thanksgiving than give Bernard Matthews a penny of my money.

Exactly what I was thinking.