Commercial turkeys have been selected for extreme breast muscle mass that creates breathing difficulties and heat stress vulnerability, and addressing these welfare problems requires both genetic and management changes.
Commercial turkey welfare faces the same fundamental genetic problem as broiler chickens: breeding selection entirely for production traits has produced animals whose bodies are poorly adapted for comfortable living. The extreme breast muscle mass of commercial turkeys impairs locomotion, cardiovascular function, and thermoregulation, creating chronic welfare deficits that persist throughout the animal's life regardless of management quality. Heat stress compounds these underlying problems, as turkeys with compromised respiratory function are less able to dissipate heat through panting. The welfare solution requires both genetic change toward less extreme breast muscle selection and management improvements including better ventilation, lower stocking densities, and access to enrichment that encourages activity. As with broilers, consumer and retailer demand for slower-growing breeds with better welfare can drive the market changes needed.