The behavioral needs of turkeys in commercial production and how providing for these needs improves welfare outcomes.
Turkey behavioral welfare in commercial production is severely compromised by housing systems that prevent the expression of most natural behaviors. Commercial turkeys kept at high density in barren environments cannot forage meaningfully, cannot perform territorial or courtship displays, and cannot use the space that their natural ranging behavior requires. Feather pecking — a serious welfare problem causing injuries across flocks — arises from the same frustration and redirection of foraging motivation that drives tail-biting in pigs: when animals cannot express behavioral needs in appropriate ways, they redirect those behaviors toward pen mates. Beak trimming addresses the symptom while the root cause — inadequate environment — persists. Heritage breed turkeys in lower-density, enriched housing demonstrate that turkey behavioral welfare is achievable; the welfare gap in commercial production reflects choices about production economics rather than inherent limitations.