Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for extreme growth at the cost of their welfare. Systemic problems with modern turkey genetics cause widespread suffering across the industry.
Farmed turkey welfare parallels broiler chicken welfare in the fundamental role of genetics in creating systemic welfare problems. Commercial broad-breasted turkey breeds have been selected so aggressively for breast meat yield that the resulting phenotype — enormous pectoral muscles, disproportionate body weight relative to leg strength — makes natural locomotion painful and normal mating physically impossible. The welfare implications are extensive: lameness from skeletal-muscular imbalance affects a large proportion of commercial turkeys; heat stress from metabolic heat generation in massive muscle mass impairs welfare in warm weather; and the physical inability to reproduce naturally means all commercial turkeys are products of artificial insemination. Welfare improvements require genetic reform — selecting turkeys that maintain fitness, normal locomotion, and slower growth alongside acceptable meat production.