Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for extreme breast muscle growth that causes chronic health problems, with welfare implications comparable to those seen in fast-growing broiler chickens.
The welfare situation in commercial turkeys mirrors that of fast-growing broiler chickens but receives less public attention. The extreme breast muscle development selected for meat yield causes birds that cannot perform natural behaviors including mating, effective preening, and comfortable resting. Leg disorders from rapid growth cause chronic lameness and pain. Cardiovascular problems related to extreme growth rates cause sudden death syndrome. The birds are essentially bred into bodies that cause suffering throughout their short lives. Heritage breeds and slower-growing alternatives demonstrate that turkey production without these health problems is possible, but their market share remains small relative to the volume of commercial turkeys produced.