Commercial turkeys are bred for such rapid growth that many struggle to walk, breathe, or reproduce naturally — a systemic welfare crisis in the poultry industry.
Commercial turkey production represents a paradigmatic case of welfare failure through selective breeding. The breeds used commercially grow so fast that their bodies cannot support their own weight, leading to endemic lameness, cardiovascular collapse, and chronic pain that affects billions of birds annually. Unlike broiler chicken reform — where slower-growing breed commitments are gaining traction — turkey welfare reform has received far less industry attention. Consumer awareness and corporate commitment campaigns are needed to drive equivalent change.