Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for rapid breast muscle growth to the point where their welfare is severely compromised. Understanding these issues is critical for improving the sector.
The modern commercial turkey is a product of extreme selective breeding that prioritizes meat yield over welfare. Skeletal problems, cardiovascular disease, and heat stress are common in fast-growing breeds. Litter-reared turkeys in crowded sheds cannot express natural foraging, dust-bathing, or social behaviors. Beak trimming without pain relief is common. Higher-welfare production systems use slower-growing breeds, provide outdoor access, and allow natural behavior expression. Consumer choices at holiday time have significant impact given the seasonal concentration of demand.