Commercial turkeys face significant welfare challenges related to genetic selection for breast muscle development, respiratory capacity and heat tolerance.
Commercial turkeys represent one of the most extreme examples of welfare compromise through genetic selection. The double-breasted physique that produces high yields of breast meat prevents normal locomotion, social interaction and in extreme cases, adequate cardiac and respiratory function. Turkeys in intensive systems show high rates of leg disorders, starve-out events in young poults and heat stress mortality. Unlike broiler reform which has identified slower-growing alternatives, turkey welfare improvement requires both breed selection changes and improved environmental management.