Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for such rapid breast muscle growth that they can no longer reproduce naturally and commonly suffer from leg and cardiovascular disorders. Their welfare situation parallels that of broiler chickens.
Commercial turkey welfare is structurally compromised by the genetics of the birds themselves. Turkeys bred for extreme breast muscle growth develop skeletal systems that cannot adequately support their bodies, leading to lameness and inability to reach food and water. Cardiovascular systems cannot keep up with the metabolic demands of their mass. This is not primarily a husbandry failure but a breeding failure — welfare problems are built into the bird before any farm management decisions are made. Heritage breeds maintain welfare-appropriate physiology but grow slower and cost more, creating a market barrier. Consumer willingness to pay premium prices for slower-growing, higher-welfare turkeys is the most direct lever for change.