Commercial turkey production raises significant welfare concerns centered on selective breeding for rapid growth, with reform efforts focusing on slower-growing breeds and improved husbandry standards.
Turkey welfare reform follows a similar trajectory to broiler chicken welfare reform, with breed selection being the most fundamental lever for improvement. Commercial breed turkeys grow so rapidly that their skeletons, cardiovascular systems, and immune function cannot keep pace, resulting in chronic health problems that cause pain and distress throughout the production cycle. Unlike some welfare improvements that require significant infrastructure investment, transitioning to slower-growing breeds is achievable within existing production systems, though at higher cost per kilogram. Consumer willingness to pay a modest premium for higher-welfare turkey is the key driver of supply chain change.