Modern commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for rapid breast muscle growth that causes serious welfare problems including cardiovascular disease, leg disorders, and difficulty walking and mating naturally.
The welfare problems of commercial turkey production are structurally similar to those of fast-growing broiler chickens — genetic selection for production traits has outpaced welfare considerations, creating animals whose bodies are poorly adapted for the lifetimes they must live. Unlike chickens, turkeys are also denied the possibility of natural reproduction. Slower-growing heritage breeds avoid many of these problems but command higher prices that limit market penetration. Consumer choices and retailer commitments to welfare standards for turkeys have the potential to drive meaningful industry change, but require active engagement with turkey welfare as a distinct issue from chicken welfare.