Commercial turkeys, bred for rapid growth and extreme muscle mass, suffer high rates of leg disorders that severely compromise mobility and welfare in intensive production.
Turkey leg problems represent a direct consequence of selecting for extreme muscle growth at the expense of skeletal integrity. Birds with dyschondroplasia and joint degeneration experience chronic pain with every step. Lame turkeys reduce movement to minimise pain, leading to reduced feeding and social interaction, creating secondary welfare impacts. The suffering is preventable through breed selection for better locomotion - a choice the industry resists for economic reasons. Consumer choices and regulatory standards for slower-growing breeds are the primary levers for change.