Commercial turkey production uses fast-growing breeds that experience similar welfare problems to broiler chickens, with cardiovascular stress and locomotion difficulties.
Commercial turkeys with excessively developed breast muscles walk with a laboured gait that restricts their natural behaviour and access to environmental resources. Cardiovascular stress from rapid growth causes sudden death syndrome in birds that appeared healthy. Lame turkeys spend excessive time resting in litter causing hock burns and breast blisters. Turkeys unable to access water and feed due to lameness suffer from dehydration and nutritional deficits. Traditional breeds like the Norfolk Black or Bronze that grow more slowly have dramatically better welfare indicators.