Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for extreme growth rates that cause significant health and welfare problems throughout their lives.
Commercial turkeys suffer from the same growth-related welfare problems as broiler chickens, including leg disorders, cardiovascular stress, and chronic discomfort from carrying excessive body weight. Breast muscle hypertrophy restricts natural movement and respiratory function. Turkeys kept in barren environments cannot express their natural intelligence, social complexity, and ranging behaviour. The welfare problems are inherent to the genetics rather than the management system.