Fort Collins Butcher Shop Adjusts Thanksgiving Turkey Orders After Avian Flu Disrupts Supply Chain
Friendly Nick's Butcher in Fort Collins is working to salvage Thanksgiving turkey orders after avian flu complications forced the shop to source replacement birds on short notice.
Owner Nick Chase learned November 17 that his original turkey order would not arrive until November 24 due to supply chain disruptions linked to highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks. With four different turkey preparations requiring advance time, Chase scrambled to secure 200 replacement turkeys from an alternate supplier.
The replacement birds are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, but arrive frozen rather than fresh, forcing modifications to the shop's traditional preparations and timelines.
Fresh turkey orders will arrive thawed and ready on schedule, though customers will need to allow an additional day for the birds to fully thaw in their refrigerators. Smoked turkeys will be unaffected and ready as planned.
The shop's specialty preparations face more significant changes. Whiskey barrel brined turkeys will receive a whiskey spritz before packaging rather than the traditional multi-day brine, with pricing reduced by 50 cents per pound. Truffle marinated turkeys cannot be stuffed or have truffle butter rubbed under the skin as usual. Instead, customers will receive containers with truffle butter and stuffing vegetables for home preparation, with prices reduced by one dollar per pound.
Chase encouraged customers with concerns to contact the shop directly and said order cancellations or changes would be accommodated.
Avian Flu Impact on Turkey Supply
The 2024-2025 avian flu season has significantly disrupted turkey availability nationwide. According to USDA data from November 2025, consumer prices for whole turkeys increased 16 to 28 percent year-over-year compared to 2023, with many suppliers reporting difficulty sourcing fresh turkeys during holiday periods.
Mandatory culling of exposed flocks, often within 24 to 48 hours of detection per USDA and Colorado Department of Agriculture protocols, has caused repeated supply shortages. The National Turkey Federation notes that supply chain normalization typically takes five to seven months after major outbreaks, as farms require time for thorough site cleaning, disease verification, repopulation, and raising birds to market weight.
Northern Colorado meat retailers reliant on local small farms have experienced particular difficulty restocking fresh turkeys compared to urban centers with access to larger distribution networks.
Friendly Nick's Butcher previously raised over $100,000 for a community relief effort distributing free meat packages to families affected by federal SNAP benefit cuts, closing that fundraiser November 18.
Customers with questions about their turkey orders can contact Friendly Nick's Butcher directly at their Fort Collins location.