Bird Flu Limiting Fresh Turkey Supply In Mass.

This year, getting a turkey might be harder and cost more. The main reason? Bird flu. When the country is dealing with a bird flu epidemic, farmers have to kill the whole flock to stop it from spreading more. That's called culling. Without enough healthy turkeys, there's a shortage, especially right before the holiday when everyone wants one.

The bird flu started in 2022

The outbreak started in the United States back in February 2022. That's when the first farm turkeys got sick in Indiana. Since then, it's been a huge problem, killing or forcing the culling of millions of birds every year. In 2025 alone, over 3 million turkeys have been affected nationwide.

That's way more than in 2024, when only about 1.25 million were lost. The virus picked up speed again this fall, hitting flocks hard since September. Almost 1.3 million turkeys were culled just in the last month or so. In Massachusetts, farms and stores are feeling it too. Local spots like Stop & Shop have had trouble keeping shelves full, and butchers say they're short on turkey breasts and big birds for big meals.

We're short on turkeys - but not disastrous

Is this shortage super bad? It's serious but not a total disaster. Experts say there are enough frozen turkeys for most families - about 46 million get eaten on Thanksgiving across the U.S. But fresh ones or just the right size might be tough to find if you wait too long. The U.S. raised only 195 million turkeys this year, the fewest in 40 years. That's down 3% from last year because of the flu and fewer baby turkeys hatched. Stores like Walmart and Aldi are offering deals to help, but prices are up. -axios.com

What about the price?

How much will a turkey cost? Expect to pay more in Massachusetts. Last year, a 16-pound bird averaged about $25 nationwide. This year, wholesale prices jumped 40% to $1.32 per pound. That could mean $30 to $35 for an average turkey at the store, maybe a bit higher here with shipping and taxes. It's not huge, but it adds up for families.