Commercial turkey breeds have been selectively bred for rapid muscle growth, creating significant welfare problems from skeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, and inability to mate naturally.
Turkey welfare in commercial production is fundamentally compromised by selective breeding for unsustainable growth rates. The inability to walk comfortably, mate naturally, or maintain cardiovascular health are direct consequences of breeding priorities that prioritise feed conversion and breast meat yield over welfare. Slower-growing breeds, which take longer to reach slaughter weight but maintain normal physiological function, represent the welfare-appropriate alternative. Consumer willingness to pay more for slower-grown, higher-welfare turkey drives the economic case for breed reform.