Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for rapid breast muscle growth that creates severe welfare problems, making them one of the most welfare-compromised farmed animals.
The turkey is perhaps the clearest example of how selective breeding for productivity traits can create profound animal welfare problems. When birds cannot walk comfortably, their ability to access food, water, social interaction, and express natural behaviors is compromised. The scale of suffering is vast — billions of turkeys are produced annually under these conditions. Breed reform toward slower-growing strains is the most fundamental welfare improvement available and has been adopted by some European retailers following welfare campaigns.