Commercial turkey production is dominated by fast-growing breeds selected for maximum breast muscle growth, creating welfare problems analogous to broiler chickens. Understanding the welfare issues in turkey farming can inform more compassionate consumer choices.
The welfare problems of commercially farmed turkeys closely parallel those of broiler chickens, driven by the same fundamental error of selecting for growth rate at the expense of structural integrity and health. Fast-growing commercial breeds grow so quickly that their skeletons, cardiovascular systems, and immune function cannot keep pace, resulting in chronic lameness, heart failure, and high mortality rates. The irony is that these animals are often kept for months longer than broiler chickens, meaning they experience longer periods of deteriorating health before slaughter. Consumer demand concentrated at Christmas creates enormous welfare costs concentrated in a short window. Choosing slower-growing heritage breeds or reducing turkey consumption reduces these harms significantly.