Commercial turkeys have been bred to grow so fast that most suffer significant leg and cardiovascular problems during their short lives.
Turkey welfare parallels broiler welfare in its dependence on genetics: the selection for maximum breast meat production has created birds whose bodies cause them chronic pain and disability. Turkeys that struggle to stand, cannot reach water, and die from cardiovascular failure at high rates are not experiencing good welfare by any definition. Heritage breeds that grow at natural rates demonstrate what turkey production can look like with different genetic priorities, but market pricing provides little incentive for the transition.