Turkey production peaks around Christmas, creating significant seasonal welfare pressures. Understanding turkey welfare helps consumers make informed festive choices.
Commercial turkeys experience many of the same welfare challenges as broiler chickens: rapid growth causing leg problems, cardiovascular disease and immunosuppression. Turkey-specific challenges include aggressive behaviour that necessitates beak trimming, poor thermoregulation in large birds, and dustbathing deprivation in indoor systems. Traditional and free-range breeds, raised to older ages on lower-density systems with outdoor access, experience substantially better welfare. The welfare premium for free-range traditional breed turkey is among the highest of any food choice.