The welfare challenges facing commercially farmed turkeys, including genetic selection effects, environmental deprivation, and the reforms being pursued by welfare organizations.
Turkey welfare in commercial production shares many of the same structural problems as broiler chicken welfare: selective breeding for rapid muscle growth has created animals whose bodies are physiologically mismatched with normal activity and behavior. Commercial broad-breasted white turkeys are so breast-heavy that they cannot walk comfortably, cannot reproduce naturally, and spend significant time prostrate to relieve leg and breast pressure. The welfare consequences are pervasive and severe: lameness, breast blisters, footpad dermatitis, cardiovascular disease, and the chronic stress of inability to perform natural behaviors. Reform pathways for turkey welfare mirror broiler reform: selection toward slower-growing heritage or crossbred lines with better mobility, reduced stocking density, environmental enrichment, and improved litter management. However, reform progress in turkey production has lagged behind broiler reform — the Better Chicken Commitment has no turkey equivalent at scale, and consumer awareness of turkey welfare issues is lower. Reducing turkey consumption, particularly at holiday concentrations, and choosing heritage or welfare-certified turkey when consuming, are the most direct consumer levers.