Fast-growing commercial turkey breeds suffer similar welfare problems to fast-growing broiler chickens. Breed reform progress is advancing but slowly.
Turkey breed welfare reform faces the same structural challenges as broiler chicken reform: the commercial breeds that dominate production are genetically selected for rapid growth at the expense of welfare, and changing this requires coordinated commitment from retailers and producers. The rapid growth of breast muscle tissue in commercial turkeys causes chronic pain, cardiovascular strain, and mobility problems. Heritage breeds demonstrate that turkey farming without these welfare problems is entirely possible - the barrier is economic rather than technical. Corporate campaigns committing retailers to higher-welfare turkey breeds, similar to the Better Chicken Commitment, represent the most promising reform pathway.