It's that time of year. As the shops are filling up with mince pies and Christmas

crackers, people are starting to make plans for the festive period. But as one member

of our team found, trying to reserve a turkey is already proving to be a struggle.

Looking on to the website of a poultry farm, they found this notice.

To all our valued customers, sadly, our birds have caught the avian influenza virus, and

so we are unable to supply any birds this year. This is a massive blow to us as we are passionate

about the welfare of our free-range birds. For all those who have already pre-ordered,

we will be issuing refunds. We apologise to those of you that are now having to alter

your plans. As you can appreciate, these are difficult times for us and our staff, but

we remain positive.

This isn't a new problem. You might have noticed how difficult it's become to get free-range

eggs in the last few months, but with Christmas just over a month away, alarm bells are now

ringing.

The English National Farmers Union says there is a risk for the supply of Christmas turkeys

if the worst avian flu outbreak in the UK history continues to spread.

Poulltry farmers have described it as Armageddon, and for those who live near the coast, the

site of dying birds has been harrowing.

It's devastating. We have already picked up thousands of dead birds, and that is probably

just the tip of the iceberg.

You're listening to stories of our times from the times and the Sunday times. I'm Manvian

Rana. Today, bird flu, the devastating pandemic that's flown under the radar.

I'm Ben Spencer. I'm science editor of the Sunday Times.

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