Commercial turkey production has significant welfare challenges linked to breeding for fast growth and intensive housing systems.
Turkey welfare in commercial production faces the same fundamental tension as broiler welfare: breeds selected for maximum meat yield carry inherent structural vulnerabilities that cause chronic pain and limit natural behavior. Turkeys that cannot walk normally, cannot breed naturally, and are confined in large barren flocks are experiencing welfare compromise built into the production system. Welfare improvement requires the same dual approach needed for broilers: slower-growing breeds that have better structural integrity, and better environments that allow expression of natural social and behavioral repertoires. Consumer and retailer demand for welfare-certified turkey products drives the market incentive for producers to invest in these changes.