Turkeys are among the fastest-growing farm animals, bred for extreme muscle growth that compromises their welfare. Understanding their situation drives better standards.
Commercial turkey genetics have created animals whose bodies are in fundamental conflict with their welfare. The extreme muscle growth that makes them commercially valuable causes leg weakness, heart disease, and difficulty breathing. Leg disorders affect a high proportion of commercial turkeys, causing chronic pain. Feather pecking in overcrowded flocks leads to serious injury and can become fatal. Slower-growing breeds with better leg health and cardiovascular function represent a welfare improvement but are rarely used in mainstream production.