Everyone seems to want a fresh, local turkey for their Thanksgiving table, but finding one can be difficult. Local birds that are raised thoughtfully and humanely are in demand and often sell out early – a couple of farmers are already taking orders for 2016. We’ve done the leg work for you, calling farms in southern Maine that raise turkeys to check availability, pricing, ordering and information. While the list is not comprehensive, it does include most of the major players within driving distance of Portland.

ALEWIVE’S BROOK FARM

83 Old Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth 799-7743; [email protected]

This farm raises about 200 turkeys every year, ranging from 12 to 40 pounds. They are not certified organic, but are given no hormones or antibiotics. The birds are fed regular grain, vegetable scraps and, according to farmers Jodie and Patricia Jordan, “unlucky bugs they find on the farm.” Alewive’s turkeys cost $5 per pound. They’ll be ready for pickup at the farm stand on the afternoon of Nov. 23 and every day afterward, including Thanksgiving Day. To order, email or call.

THE FARM STAND

161 Ocean St., South Portland 805-1481

The Farm Stand sources its organic, pasture-raised turkeys from Grace Pond Farm in Monmouth. There’s no deadline for ordering – the store expects to be able to fulfill even last-minute orders – but it will be first come, first served on size. Customers will be asked to give a four-pound “weight window” for their desired bird (say, 10 to 14 pounds), and the staff will do their best to find a turkey that fits the bill. The turkeys cost $5.50 per pound and require a $35 deposit. Call to order and schedule a pick-up time, or go to the store in person.

FRITH FARM

61 Ash Swamp Road, Scarborough. 730-9077; [email protected]

If you want one of Daniel Mays’ certified organic turkeys, raised on pasture, you’re already too late. Mays sold out a couple of weeks ago. The good news is, he’s taking orders for next year. May’s turkeys are processed on the farm and sell for $5.50 per pound. He requires a $20 deposit. Call or email to reserve.

ROSEMONT MARKETS

580 Brighton Ave, Portland, 774-8129

Rosemont sells fresh turkeys at all five of its neighborhood stores. They are all-natural (no antibiotics), free-range birds from two Maine Farms – Serendipity Acres in North Yarmouth and Mainely Poultry in Warren and New Sharon. The Serendipity turkeys are raised on pasture and grain under MOFGA-certified organic and humane conditions.

The small birds range between 12 and 15 pounds. Medium-sized turkeys range between 16 and 20 pounds, and large birds weigh 21 pounds or more. Mainely Poultry’s turkeys cost $4.69 per pound, and turkeys from Serendipity Acres cost $5.69 per pound.

There is no ordering deadline, but the staff suggests you reserve your bird early because they usually sell out.

SANFORD BUTCHER SHOP

578 Lebanon St., Sanford. 432-0858; [email protected]

Tom Basinger, owner of the butcher shop, raises turkeys himself and also buys them from farmers he trusts who feed their birds all-natural grains with no fillers or animal by-products. The turkeys are raised free-range and range in size from 16 to 40 pounds. They cost $3.99 per pound. About 30 birds are still available. Call or email to reserve.

SERENDIPITY ACRES FARM

140 West Pownal Road, North Yarmouth. 210-7381

The farms’ birds are already sold out – blame an order of 200 chicks that fell through – but you can still buy Serendipity turkeys at any of Rosemont Market’s neighborhood stores and at the Portland Food Co-op. The birds are certified organic and raised on three acres of pasture. See the Rosemont entry for pricing details.

THE TURKEY FARM

209 Mile Hill Road, New Sharon. 778-2889 [email protected]

The Turkey Farm’s birds are free-range, and do not receive antibiotics unless they are sick. They cost $3.95 per pound. Don’t set your heart on a bird smaller than 12 pounds, though. The gorgeous fall weather has them eating more, so they are large this year. Place an order at the farm store, online, or at the Brunswick or Bath farmers markets. Portland-area customers can pick up their turkeys between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Woodfords Church, 202 Woodfords St. The farm also has pick-up locations in Topsham, Bath, Orono and at the farm.

VALLEY VIEW FARM

Sopers Mill Road, Auburn. 320-1969; [email protected]

Farmer Kathy Shaw’s turkeys eat well: She raises them on pasture, supplemented by a mixture of prepared scratch feed and corn. The birds range in size from 12 to 20 pounds, most averaging 15 pounds, and cost $5 per pound. Order by phone or email, but Shaw prefers phone so she can talk with customers and give them exactly what they want. Fresh turkeys will be available for pick-up at the Falmouth winter farmers market location at Allen, Sterling & Lothrop on U.S. Route 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving.

WOLFE’S NECK FARM

184 Burnett Road, Freeport. 865-4469

Wolfe’s Neck raises a limited number of lucky free-range, bronze broad-breasted turkeys on oceanfront pasture. Their diet is supplemented with grain that contains no hormones or antibiotics. They’re available in three sizes, but the 17- to 20-pound birds are already sold out. Still available are 10- to 13-pound and 14- to 16-pound turkeys. They cost $5 per pound and require a $40 deposit. Orders can be placed online, then picked up at the farm on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Nov. 24 from 8 a,m. to 5 p.m. And, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, if you’d like to donate a turkey to Freeport Community Services’ Thanksgiving meal, Wolfe’s Neck will deliver it for you.

— Compiled by Meredith Goad, Staff Writer