Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred to grow so fast their bodies struggle to support their own weight. This selective breeding has created a welfare crisis affecting hundreds of millions of birds annually.
Commercial turkeys exemplify the welfare crisis created by selection for rapid growth at any cost. These animals have been bred to the point where their bodies cannot function normally - legs buckle under their own weight, hearts fail, breathing is labored. This suffering is not incidental to production - it is a direct consequence of the breeding choices made to maximize growth rate and muscle yield. Birds spend their lives in chronic discomfort from the weight they cannot support. The fact that this suffering is normalized and largely invisible to consumers who encounter only the finished product represents a profound disconnect that better labeling and welfare certification can help address.