These days, along with the traditional frozen Butterball turkey, consumers can buy birds that are raised organically, have lived in an open pasture or come from a long line of heritage breeds.
Many of these turkeys are also sold "fresh," which means they are not frozen, just refrigerated.
What turkey you choose depends on your reasons for buying it.
If you are a staunch believer in eating organic, you may want an organic turkey. Those birds are generally raised using natural grasses and grains that have been grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
Free-range turkeys appeal to consumers who may be opposed to how conventional poultry is raised in confined facilities. Free-range birds are allowed to roam in large spaces and feed on natural grasses and healthful grains. They are not given antibiotics or produced with any preservatives or hormones.
And heritage turkeys are for the foodie at heart. The distinctive breeds, which include Standard Bronze, Bourbon Red or Narragansett, are prized for their rich flavor. Heritage turkeys are ancestors of the common broad-breasted white that makes up a majority of the frozen turkeys sold in grocery stores.
Even if you don't get a speciality turkey, you should order in advance if you are particular about the size of turkey.
Cynthia Belcher, co-owner of Kristina's Natural Ranch Market in Fresno, said that while specialty turkeys cost more — ranging from $2.99 to $5.99 a pound — the price has not deterred her customers.
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