Turkeys are killed in large numbers for celebrations such as Christmas, but the turkey industry is nothing to celebrate.
Turkeys are bred to grow as fast as possible and to have a very large breast because that is what people want to eat. Modern turkeys are several times heavier than traditional turkeys. The traditional turkey is a graceful bird that can fly and roost in trees, while modern turkeys are lumbering giants.
Females are killed from only 12 weeks of age and males from 16 weeks. The result of rapid growth is that some turkeys become lame due to painful leg disorders. Those that are too lame to reach food and water are killed.
Turkeys are raised in crowded, dark sheds to make maximum profit. Turkeys spend a lot of time sitting because of weak or painful legs. The birds are sitting on their own droppings. Photos: Farm Sanctuary
Large numbers of turkeys are kept in crowded sheds. A large bird can be given no more space than an A3 sheet of paper. The sheds are kept dark to stop the crowded birds pecking each other. In the 12 weeks or more until birds are slaughtered a lot of manure accumulates. Sitting and standing on wet droppings gives birds painful blisters on the feet, legs and chest. The air is polluted with dust and ammonia.
It is legal to cut various body parts off baby turkeys without any pain relief. Up to one-third of the upper beak, the snood (skin drooping from the forehead) and the last joint of inward pointing toes in breeding males can be cut off.
These young turkeys have been debeaked. The beak contains nerves and blood vessels, so cutting the beak is painful (Farm Sanctuary). The inward pointing toes of the tom turkey on the right have been cut. Notice the huge chest (UPC).
Because turkeys grow so fast, any birds that are kept for a year as breeders have to be starved while they are growing to reduce their weight, hip degeneration and cardiovascular problems when they are mature. They are fed only about half of what they would eat normally. They are constantly hungry and peck at walls and empty food troughs.
Even so, modern turkeys are too heavy and cumbersome to mate naturally, so once or twice a week males are “milked” and females are artificially inseminated. Being caught, restrained and manipulated in this way is stressful for the birds.
Being caught and held upside down is stressful for birds. Artificial insemination of a female turkey. Photos: Farm Sanctuary
When they reach the desired weight, turkeys are caught and transported to slaughter. They are hung up by the legs on the killing chain, which is both painful and stressful. The head passes through an electrified water bath to stun the birds before their throat is cut, but if they lift their head or the current is too low, they will be conscious when the cut is made. In the UK 75% of turkeys are killed by gassing to save them the pain and stress of being hung up and perhaps not being stunned correctly.
Turkeys are large, heavy birds and they can suffer painful injuries when caught for slaughter. Turkeys hung upside down by the legs on the killing chain at the slaughterhouse (Photos Farm Sanctuary).
You can avoid this suffering by not eating turkeys. Try not-turkey Christmas roasts:
Fruit and nut roast with lemon stuffing
For more detailed information, including references, download our factsheet: The turkey industry - more factory farming (5 pages including references)
Visit the following photogalleries
PETA
Farm Sanctuary
Campaign Against Killing (results of an undercover investigation in a US turkey hatchery)
Mercy for Animals
