Minnesota, the nation’s top turkey-producing state, has confirmed bird flu in two more commercial turkey flocks since early October, including a flock of breeder hens whose eggs supply future turkeys. The new cases arrive as frozen whole-hen turkey stocks sit about 9% below last year heading into the holiday season.
The latest detection involved about 25,900 commercial turkey breeder hens in Kandiyohi County, confirmed Oct. 9, WATTPoultry reported. That brought Minnesota to 19 commercial flocks affected in 2026, according to the outlet’s review of U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
For families planning Thanksgiving, the question is not whether turkeys will be available but how much supply cushion remains. National data show production is up this year, while supplies of frozen whole birds are tighter than in 2025…