Commercial turkey production faces fundamental welfare challenges from extreme genetic selection for breast muscle growth, with compound effects on cardiovascular health, locomotion, and natural behavior expression.
Turkey welfare challenges parallel broiler welfare but with compounding severity: the degree of genetic selection for growth has proceeded further in commercial turkeys, producing animals whose bodies are structurally incompatible with normal behavior and physiological function. The inability of commercial turkeys to mate naturally is a stark indicator of how far from biological normalcy commercial genetics have moved. The resulting cardiovascular fragility, locomotion problems, and behavioral limitations create chronic welfare compromise throughout a bird's life. Reform requires engagement with genetics — not simply housing or management changes — and industry resistance is considerable given the profitability of current production systems. The welfare argument for slower-growing turkey breeds is compelling but has generated less consumer and advocacy attention than the equivalent broiler welfare campaign.