Free-range turkey systems provide significant welfare advantages over intensive indoor production. Managing health and behaviour in outdoor systems requires specific knowledge.
Free-range turkey welfare is significantly better than intensive indoor production for most natural behaviours. Turkeys can forage, dust bathe, and express social behaviour with outdoor access. However, modern fast-growing commercial breeds are not well adapted to outdoor conditions, developing leg disorders and cardiovascular problems even with pasture access. Heritage and slower-growing breeds achieve better welfare outcomes in free-range systems. Fox and raptor predation requires good shelter design and secure housing at night.