Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for rapid breast muscle growth that causes severe welfare problems — skeletal disorders, cardiovascular failure, and inability to mate naturally. They represent one of the clearest examples of how breeding for production traits directly causes animal suffering.
Commercial turkey welfare mirrors the broiler chicken crisis but is less publicly visible: the genetic selection for extreme breast muscle growth has created birds that suffer musculoskeletal pain as a direct result of their own bodies. Turkeys that cannot walk normally, cannot maintain hygiene, or die suddenly of cardiovascular failure are experiencing welfare harm caused by deliberate breeding choices. Unlike many welfare problems, this one has a clear solution: breeding slower-growing, more anatomically proportionate turkeys. The challenge is economic — slower-growing birds cost more to produce and command higher retail prices in a market that has historically prioritised cheap protein. Consumer willingness to pay for higher-welfare turkey, and retailer commitments to source it, are the primary levers for change.