He’s a show-off and knows how handsome he is. She’s calm and graceful – and they both like gobbling up treats.
Meet Paul and Prue, the rescue turkeys named after the Bake Off judges.
As the latest series of the hit show gets underway, these two feathered friends are enjoying a new beginning too.
The enormous and rather noisy pair were brought in to the RSPCA in Block Fen, Cambridgeshire, over the summer.
Animal care supervisor Laura Prince said: “These turkeys were full of character from the day they arrived.
“Their former owners were no longer able to keep them due to unforeseen circumstances, and as turkeys are complex to care for, and the fact that Paul is very large and noisy which can ruffle feathers with neighbours, there were concerns for their future.”
However, they have now moved to a new home – a smallholding in Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire.
They have been taken in by animal lover Vikki Johnston, who is fondly known among her friends as Mrs Dolittle.
She spotted them on the RSPCA’s website and knew she could offer them the ideal home, having previously owned a turkey and having a large paddock.
She says: “Prue and Paul have settled in so well. Paul is very affectionate and enjoys attention and sitting next to me.
“Prue is a little more shy, but is never far behind, and really loves dustbathing.
“They are such intelligent birds and are fascinating to watch – their personalities really shine through. Paul loves to march over to any visitors and investigate them, and Prue is really enjoying having the two-acre paddock to explore.
“Some people think turkeys are ugly, but I think they are wonderful.”
The duo have a dedicated home in a large paddock with lots of space, which allows them to practise their normal turkey behaviours and live a happy life.
They also have a covered area where they can go in bad weather – almost like their very own Bake Off tent!
RSPCA Block Fen’s Laura added: “Sadly, the RSPCA is often called to collect abandoned and dumped farm birds because people haven’t realised just how noisy they can be.
"Keeping farm animals as pets is not easy, and people really need to consider if they can provide everything these complex animals need.”
- If you think you can offer a home to a rescued farm animal, go to rspca.org.uk
