Commercial turkeys are bred for extreme growth rates that cause severe health problems, with welfare challenges extending from hatchery to slaughter in most production systems.
Turkey welfare in commercial production suffers from the same genetic trade-off as broiler chickens but is less discussed publicly. The extreme breast muscle mass that makes turkeys commercially valuable prevents them from walking comfortably, mating naturally, or engaging in normal behaviors. Leg weakness causing painful lameness is endemic. Hatchery conditions often involve rough handling and long transports without food or water. At slaughter, water-bath stunning has known welfare failures. Transitioning to slower-growing genetics and improved slaughter methods would dramatically reduce this suffering.