Russell Simmons urges fans to adopt a turkey

Russell Simmons has urged his fans to adopt a turkey this Thanksgiving, saying 'the holidays are murder' for the birds.

The vegan hip-hop star is a longtime supporter of the Farm Sanctuary, the leading farm animal protection organisation in the US.

He used a shock twitter message in a bid to encourage his American followers to give up meat this holiday.

He tweeted: "Feeding turkey to ur (your) kids? Why risk antibiotics that could wreck their immune system? & hormones that could grow boobs on them at 7? Go vegan.

"The Holidays Are Murder On Turkeys - a prayer for all those that suffered - Adopt one & save a life @farmsanctuary! Sometimes my tweets may use shock value (re - antibiotics growing boobs on ur (your) kids) but understand its because I LOVE u all & wish the best 4 u."