Commercial turkey breeds have been selected so heavily for breast muscle growth that they cannot breed naturally and face serious mobility and health welfare problems.
Turkey breed welfare represents an extreme example of selective breeding creating animals whose very biology compromises their welfare. Unlike most farm animal welfare problems that stem from environmental conditions, turkey welfare problems are built into the genetics selected over decades of hyper-selection for growth rate and breast yield. The birds cannot reproduce naturally, struggle to support their own weight, and experience cardiovascular and skeletal disease as they grow. Reform requires changing the breeding parameters of the entire industry, supported by consumer demand for slower-growing alternatives.