Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Turkey Welfare: Breed and Stocking Density

Commercial turkey breeds selected for rapid breast muscle growth experience significant welfare problems including leg weakness, cardiovascular disease and difficulty accessing resources.

Key Facts

Modern commercial turkey breeds reach slaughter weight of 20kg in approximately 20 weeks
Leg weakness and foot pad dermatitis are endemic in intensively reared turkeys
Stocking density in commercial turkey houses often restricts normal movement and social behaviour
Higher welfare turkey breeds with more moderate growth rates show fewer locomotory problems
Enrichment provision including straw bales, perches and pecking substrates improves turkey welfare

Welfare Considerations

Commercial turkey breed welfare problems mirror those seen in broiler chickens and stem from similar extreme selection pressure. Breed reform is a welfare priority with industry-wide implications.

What You Can Do

Choose higher welfare turkey products from farms using slower-growing breeds
Support organisation campaigns for turkey breed reform comparable to broiler welfare initiatives
Reduce turkey consumption in favour of welfare-positive alternatives