A pensioner who regularly walks his flock of turkeys through his village now needs someone to rehome them - as he struggles with mobility.<br /><br />Brian Moodie, 76, has become a popular sight wandering with his birds he started keeping twelve years ago after looking for a new hobby.<br /><br />Brian had previously kept greyhounds but as interest in dog racing dwindled he stopped collecting the breed.<br /><br />After two years of researching turkeys and how to care for them, Brian bought his first one - with his flock reaching 50 birds at its peak.<br /><br />He began taking his turkeys to shows, winning awards across the country.<br /><br />Brian has become known in his hometown of Camelon, Falkirk, Scotland, for taking his flock out for walks to keep them healthy and interacting with the world.<br /><br />But he now has suffered a bout of ill health and 'struggles on his feet' and needs a new home for his turkeys.<br /><br />He said: ''I wanted to find something to do in the fresh air. <br /><br />"I’ve always been interested in poultry, particularly the larger breeds - and the largest of them all is the turkey.<br /><br />"My initial thought was – how can you keep something as ugly as that?<br /><br />"Once I got to know them, they were marvelous birds and I completely embraced them. <br /><br />"It was a bit overwhelming to start with but I quickly adapted to it. <br /><br />“When I first got the turkeys they were like kids. They wanted to find out about the world around them.<br /><br />“They used to wander about all over the place. It was trouble enough keeping them out of my neighbour’s garden.<br /><br />“So I’d take them foraging - just doing what they would do in the wild. I believe it keeps them in better condition.”<br /><br />“I was a source of ridicule when I first started. People would say: ‘What's he doing parading them up and down like that?’<br /><br />“I used to get cat-calls and people making turkey noises at me,” Brian laughs, “But I’d always wave to them so they knew I wasn’t grumpy.<br /><br />“But now the turkeys are very popular - people have embraced them. It gives them a feel-good factor.<br /><br />"People are always very understanding – they heel their dogs when we walk past."<br /><br />The birds cost Brian around £5 each per week to feed - but Brian says he has "never regretted it."<br /><br />At points, his flock has contained some of the rarest breeds of turkey in the world, including some that are endangered in the wild.<br /><br />Brian's flock has shrunk in size over the years, rehoming some of the birds after he suffered a bout of ill health - but he hopes to encourage others to see turkeys in a new light.<br /><br />"They’re just full of character. I wish I’d taken the hobby up a long time ago, instead of the greyhounds," Brian said.<br /><br />"The enjoyment I’ve had has been tremendous. You wouldn’t believe how charismatic these birds are.<br /><br />“I've had health issues and I can no longer keep them.<br /><br />"I'm getting unsteady on my feet and it's no longer safe to take them around.<br /><br />"I do hope somebody in the area takes them and I'll do anything I can to help them or give them advice.<br /><br />"I'm delighted I've had this experience and I'll miss the birds very much.<br /><br />"It's a hobby I discovered by accident and I'm still reaping the rewards of keeping these birds.<br /><br />"I've never regretted keeping these birds - it's all been a joy."
