EAST LANSING, Mich. — Students at Michigan State University’s Avian Science Club are in the midst of their third annual Thanksgiving turkey sale.

Money earned will be used by MSU students to go to the International Poultry Expo in Atlanta, Ga., this January. Turkeys were raised by students at MSU, as well as at Otto’s Turkey Farm in Middleville.

The birds raised at MSU are males and may be as large as 30 pounds, said Jessica Ernest, vice president of the Avian Science Club and a senior in MSU’s Department of Animal Science. She said there are about 80 of those birds, with another 150 coming from Otto’s. The latter will mostly be smaller, she said. Things are going pretty well with the sale so far.

“I’ve already sold about 110 birds,” Ernest said. “I’m pretty excited about it. We’re taking orders until November 18. Tom Otto’s delivering his birds on the 19th.”

Ernest has sent out email messages to everyone at MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and there have been other advertisements. She said buying a turkey through the sale will not only aid students attending the Expo, but also help a local turkey producer.

The Expo will be an opportunity for students to network with agriculture-related companies. “It’s just a bunch of companies down there,” Ernest stated. “It’s a pretty good opportunity for students to interview for internships and jobs. They also advertise their equipment. There are so many companies.”

One thing she wanted to emphasize is that the turkeys are fresh. Anyone wanting to order a bird through the sale can call her at 810-837-2038 or email ernestje@msu.edu

Pickup dates for orders are Nov. 20-21. Turkeys will be available for pickup at MSU at Anthony Hall on Farm Lane, in East Lansing.