Rather unsurprisingly, Christmas can be a stressful time for turkeys.

But it's not that they know they are for the chop - they are timid creatures and can scare for the slightest reason.

Panicking poultry can damage each other in the barn, with turkey breeders losing money as a result.

This year, help is at hand after the National Farmers' Union (NFU) handed out "chill-out" CDs to members to keep their prized birds calm and safe.

The tracks range from the sound of wind chimes and the seaside to trotting horses and even Gregorian chanting.

The NFU has asked farmers to let them know which tunes relax turkeys the most so they can make a better soundtrack for next year.

Anthony Harris, 42, who looks after the livestock side of his family-run farm near Hurstpierpoint, has been breeding and selling turkeys for the last 15 years and volunteered to give the CD a spin.

He said: "Obviously I thought it was quite amusing at first and thought it could maybe help. Happy livestock will always grow better.

"Turkeys can be spooked very easily and if that happens they can panic and get on top of each other.

"They have very sharp nails and are big heavy birds so they can cause a lot of damage."

Mr Harris prides himself on the quality of his produce and his profits can be hit if his turkeys are hurt.

He said: "We do everything we can to keep the turkeys content. They have plenty of space, fresh straw bedding every day and lots of feeders and drinkers so they don't get crowded.

"A bird that is marked is no good to me because mine are never going to be cut up and turned into turkey burgers. What is better for them is better for me."

When the CD was played for Mr Harris's turkeys, one clucked her objection loudly to the Gregorian chanting.

Whale sounds made the birds gobble in time to the low pulses.

Most of all, turkeys seemed to like the sound of their own.

The dawn chorus of birds had them standing to attention while the recording of "happy" turkeys hushed every beak in the barn.

Mr Harris said: "I'm not surprised by the tracks they responded to because it's natural they react to hearing other birds.

"Mind you, there's no reason to think they would have liked the whale sounds but it is quite a piercing and distinctive noise.

"This is obviously a very stressful period for me as well because I don't want them getting spooked in any way.

"The Christmas period is extremely important so I would play the CD because anything that helps is a bonus."

Mr Harris's turkeys conform to the Golden Promise standard and he is taking orders for Christmas birds now.

For more information, call him on 01273 833998.