INTERNATIONAL: Owners at a busy turkey farm have enlisted the help of a herd of llamas to fight off hungry foxes who have historically wreaked havoc on their business.

The farm has brought in the South American animals to ward off foxes so they can fulfil their Christmas orders without a hitch.

Traditional Farm Fresh Turkey Association chairwoman Kate Martin said: "This year it’s looking like there is a national shortage of turkeys when we’re talking about supermarket shelves, rather than buying direct from your farm."

Before alpacas Chico and Maximus were introduced to the farm, the Parrys reported a 13% fall in egg production when foxes.

"It's not as strange as it sounds," said farmer Mr Copas after first drafting in the llamas, in 2016. "Alpacas are used all over the world to deter wild dogs and coyotes.

"We've always had dogs that keep the birds safe, but they can't be on the ranges all the time, unlike the alpacas who stay there day and night."

He came up with the idea in 2015 after a series of fox attacks resulted in hundreds of birds being killed at his farm.

 Alpacas react aggressively to foxes because in the wild foxes will try to kill unguarded baby alpacas, meaning they provide ample security.

"The mere smell of alpacas is enough to keep foxes away," FarmingUK reported

"Alpacas are very territorial and although they seem standoffish, they're docile and co-exist pretty happily with the turkeys," said Mr Copas.

Mrs Martin said "unprecedented numbers" of turkey orders have already been placed this year and people should order there’s sooner than later.

Some farms have reported taking five times more orders than at this point in 2020, according to Metro.

"The mere smell of alpacas is enough to keep foxes away," FarmingUK reported in 2011, citing the case of the Parry family, who live near Ruthin in North Wales, and farm over 18,000 chickens producing free range eggs. Alpacas react aggressively to foxes because in the wild foxes will try to kill unguarded baby alpacas

Before alpacas Chico and Maximus were introduced to the farm, the Parrys reported a 13% fall in egg production when foxes struck.

Brynn Parry said: "Since Chico and Maximus have been introduced to the business we have not seen a single fox around the chicken house and high-level egg production has been maintained and therefore our profits have increased."

It is believed that llamas instinctively react to intruders because foxes hunt their young offspring in the wild in their native South America.