THERE is one Hampshire farmer who certainly won't be doing the funky chicken at this year's Christmas parties.

For Chris Graham, of Dean Farm in Ropley, has been helping his turkeys to chill out before their big day by playing them ambient tunes.

He is just one of scores of farmers across the country who are trying to find out what music stops turkeys jiggling their giblets and helps them to kick back their claws and relax.

"People listen to music to relax so why shouldn't turkeys?" said Mr Graham. "Some people talk to plants after all. Turkeys are funny animals and having something to listen to has really calmed them down. The quality of the meat goes down if they are stressed, so these birds should be excellent."

The National Farmers' Union has sent out the CDs to selected farmers after consulting with animal behaviour experts.

Favourite turkey tracks on the compilation include the sound of wind chimes, happy turkeys, Gregorian chanting, the dawn chorus, the forest, the seaside, the farmyard, wind in the moors, trotting horses, and whale noises.

Mike Bailey, NFU turkey spokesman, said: "It is well known among farmers that a background of constant sound calms birds, probably because it drowns out unexpected noise."

All the free-range birds at Mr Graham's farm in Bighton Hill are hand plucked and hung in the traditional way.

The farmers taking part are all listed on the NFU's Turkey Hotline on 0870 060 3436.