Commercial turkey production subjects birds to significant welfare challenges. Understanding and reducing stress throughout the production cycle improves turkey wellbeing substantially.
Turkey stress begins at hatch and continues throughout their short lives. Barren sheds without enrichment prevent expression of natural foraging, social, and exploratory behaviors, causing chronic frustration. Leg pain from skeletal disorders causes chronic suffering that is difficult to detect from commercial flock monitoring. Catching — typically at night with automated harvesting equipment or by hand — causes acute fear and physical injury. Welfare improvements including enrichment provision, lower stocking densities, slower-growing breeds, and better handling at slaughter each significantly reduce suffering.