Every year as winter approaches, headlines begin to circulate about bird flu — some factual, others exaggerated for clicks and attention. At The Organic Butchery, having been in the business for over a decade, we’ve seen this pattern time and time again. And while it’s true that bird flu (avian influenza) is a real and recurring concern for British poultry farmers, it’s equally true that not every alarming headline paints an accurate picture.

The fact is, bird flu has been around for a very long time. It tends to rise and fall seasonally, often linked to the movement of wild birds during colder months. But every year, when media coverage intensifies, so too does the level of online speculation — much of it designed simply to grab attention. That’s why, at The Organic Butchery, we believe in transparency over clickbait. You deserve to know the facts, not the fear.

What’s Happening Right Now

At the moment, there are no immediate concerns for our own poultry supply. Our trusted organic bird farmers are continuing to take sensible precautions to protect their flocks, which includes keeping birds temporarily indoors.

Under organic standards, this is completely acceptable during periods of heightened risk. While the birds are inside, farmers must still ensure they have:

• Plenty of space to move and express natural behaviours,

• Access to enrichment such as straw bales or pecking objects,

• A clean, well-ventilated environment, and

• Continued organic feed and welfare practices.

These standards make sure that even when birds are kept indoors for safety, their welfare remains the absolute priority — and their organic certification stays fully intact.

Our Current Situation

We’re very thankful that, here in our part of the country, we’re not on high alert for bird flu. Our farmers remain calm, vigilant, and committed to the same high standards of animal care that define everything we do.

In short — everything is fine.
Your Christmas turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens are all being well looked after, and we’ll continue to keep you updated should anything change.

At The Organic Butchery, we’ll always choose honesty over hype, and fact over fear — because our customers deserve to feel confident about where their food comes from.