Respiratory disease is a major welfare and production challenge in commercial turkey farming. High stocking densities, poor ventilation, and selective breeding for rapid growth create conditions where respiratory illness spreads rapidly and causes lasting suffering.
Respiratory disease in turkeys causes chronic suffering that is difficult to detect without close observation. Birds with early-stage respiratory infection may show subtle signs — nasal discharge, laboured breathing, reduced activity — that are easily missed in large flocks where individual monitoring is impractical. Advanced disease involves gasping, facial swelling, and severe distress. High stocking densities exacerbate transmission and make affected birds unable to access feed and water. The underlying drivers — extreme growth rates, high-density indoor housing, inadequate ventilation — are structural features of intensive production rather than isolated incidents. Welfare improvements require systemic changes: lower stocking densities, improved ventilation design, slower-growing breed selection, and transition away from prophylactic antibiotic use. Consumer demand for higher-welfare turkey products creates market incentives for producers to invest in better housing systems.