How selective breeding for extreme growth in commercial turkeys has caused chronic welfare problems and what alternative genetics offer.
Commercial turkey breeding has followed the same trajectory as broiler chicken breeding, creating animals whose genetic constitution causes them chronic welfare problems throughout their lives. The inability of commercial turkeys to mate naturally is perhaps the starkest illustration of how far breed selection has taken these animals from functional normalcy. Cardiovascular strain and locomotion difficulty cause pain and limit natural behavior expression for birds during their entire brief lives. Heritage turkey breeds demonstrate that turkeys can live without these welfare compromises, and their growing market demonstrates consumer willingness to pay for welfare-improving alternatives. The genetic reform pathway for commercial turkeys exists - it requires commercial incentive and regulatory pressure to be traveled.