Commercial turkeys experience high rates of leg disorders that cause chronic pain and limit mobility — a direct consequence of selective breeding for excessive breast muscle development.
Turkeys with leg disorders experience chronic pain from joint and bone abnormalities that limit their ability to access food, water, and comfortable resting positions. Animals that cannot bear weight properly stand less, eat less, and are displaced from resources by healthier flock-mates. The welfare harm from leg disease is compounded by the fact that affected birds cannot communicate their pain directly and may not receive individual veterinary attention in large commercial flocks. The genetic root of the problem means welfare improvement requires addressing breeding selection priorities.