Modern commercial turkeys have been selectively bred to grow so fast they can barely support their own weight. This breeding trajectory has created serious chronic welfare problems for billions of animals.
The welfare problems of commercial turkeys are largely inherent to the breeding program itself. Skeletal abnormalities cause chronic pain and limit movement. Cardiovascular disease kills a significant proportion before slaughter. The inability to express natural behaviors — flying, roosting, exploring — in overcrowded barns causes behavioral frustration. Research shows that slower-growing breeds raised with outdoor access and enrichment show dramatically better welfare outcomes. Consumer demand for higher welfare turkey is a key lever for industry change.