Commercial turkeys are bred for extreme muscle mass, leading to chronic health problems, while management and slaughter practices impose additional welfare burdens throughout their short lives.
Selective breeding for extreme growth in turkeys has created animals whose bodies cause them chronic suffering. Leg weakness, heart failure, and skin lesions are common in fast-growing strains. The inability to reproduce naturally - a basic biological function - represents a profound compromise of welfare. Transitioning to slower-growing breeds, lower stocking densities, and improved catching methods are the most impactful welfare reforms available.