Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for such extreme breast muscle growth that they cannot mate naturally and suffer serious health problems.
Commercial turkey genetics prioritize breast muscle over health and functional biology. Turkeys with enlarged breasts experience chronic orthopedic pain, difficulty moving, skin contact lesions from inability to move normally, and cardiovascular failure. The inability to mate naturally is a symptom of breeding that has moved far beyond any notion of natural function. Slower-growing genetics significantly reduce these welfare burdens.