Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for extreme growth that causes health problems similar to broiler chickens, and welfare improvements require both breed reform and better housing conditions.
Commercial turkey breeds carry similar welfare costs to fast-growing broilers: skeletal problems from muscle mass outpacing bone strength, cardiovascular disease from growth rate exceeding cardiac capacity, and the indignity of inability to reproduce naturally. The welfare case for breed reform is identical to broilers. Housing improvements - better litter quality, appropriate lighting, and enrichment that allows natural foraging and dust bathing - improve welfare within current breed constraints. Breed reform and housing improvement together represent the most significant welfare improvement pathway for commercial turkeys.