Commercial turkey production has followed a similar trajectory to broiler chicken farming — extreme selective breeding for growth has created birds whose bodies cause them chronic suffering.
Commercial turkey production has created birds that are structurally unable to live normal lives — a welfare failure built into the genetics rather than just the management system. The inability of broad-breasted birds to mate naturally, combined with the high rate of musculoskeletal and cardiovascular disease, means that the welfare of commercially raised turkeys is compromised from birth by selective breeding decisions. Consumer interest in heritage breed turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals has supported small-scale production of birds with significantly better welfare profiles and is one of the most direct market signals available.