Turkey time: If you want a great bird, order it now

Thanksgiving is three weeks away, but guess what: If you want your first choice of turkey, you’d better get your order in soon. The best birds fly off the shelves, particularly at the smaller butcher shops and markets. A couple of places we contacted were either already sold out or nearly there.

We’ll have more next week on what the various definitions mean and exactly who is growing what birds. But for right now, here’s a quick list of which stores are supplying which specialty turkeys. If I’ve missed somebody, let me know at russ.parsons@latimes.com.

BN Ranch: Heritage and free-range BN Ranch turkeys, order online by Nov. 18 for $19.99 shipping regardless of weight. www.bnranchtotable.com.

Bob’s Market in Santa Monica: Heritage and organic Diestel Farms turkeys. (310) 452-2493, www.bobsmkt.com.

Bristol Farms: Heritage, organic and free-range Mary’s turkeys. www.bristolfarms.com.

Fish King in Glendale: Free-range and organic Shelton turkeys, order by Nov. 21. (818) 244-2161, www.fishkingseafood.com.

Gelson’s: Gelson’s brand free-range and organic, Diestel free-range, organic and heirloom, and a limited supply of Empire Kosher, Huntsinger and Shelton’s. www.gelsons.com.

Harmony Farms in La Crescenta-Montrose: Free-range Harmony Farms. (818) 248-3068, harmonyfarmsonline.com.

Harvey’s Guss Meats in Los Angeles: Free-range and organic Willie Bird, must be ordered by Nov. 10. (323) 937-4622, www.harveysgussmeat.com.

Lindy and Grundy in Los Angeles: Heritage and free-range BN Ranch. (323) 951-0804, lindyandgrundy.com.

Local Harvest website: Several varieties of heritage birds for online order. www.localharvest.org/store/turkey.jsp.

Marconda’s Meats and Puritan Poultry in Los Angeles: Free-range and organic Willie Bird. (323) 938-5131, www.marcondas.com.

McCall’s Meat and Fish in Los Angeles: Free-range from Kendor Farms, heritage from BN Ranch. (323) 667-0674, www.mccallsmeatandfish.com.

Taylor’s Old-Fashioned Meats in Sierra Madre: Free-range and organic Shelton’s. (626) 355-8267, www.taylorsmeats.com.

Ventura Meat Co. in Ventura: Pasture-raised, heritage, organic and original Diestel, limited supplies. (805) 648-6942, theventurameatcompany.com.

Whole Foods: Pasture-raised, organic and original Diestel Family Farms, heritage Mary’s. www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Gourmet on Wheels: Free-range and heritage BN Ranch turkeys for delivery all over Los Angeles. Limited quantities, must be ordered by Nov. 21. No website. (213) 926-8220.

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