Christmas turkey demand drives intensive production of over 15 million turkeys in the UK annually. Modern commercial breeds cannot mate naturally due to excessive breast muscle, and suffer from leg and cardiovascular problems similar to broiler chickens.
The inability to mate naturally is itself a significant welfare indicator, reflecting the degree to which selective breeding has compromised normal turkey biology. Rapid growth causes leg pain, breathing difficulty, and reduced mobility. Birds in intensive systems often cannot perform normal behaviours including strutting displays, social exploration, and effective foraging. Welfare-certified alternatives exist but require consumer willingness to pay premium prices.