Turkeys

In the commercial turkey farming, the animals are kept with thousands in a small, dark space. This often leads to aggression, foot problems, stress, feather pecking and cannibalism. Because of the intensive way of farming, it is not unusual that in the first week of their lives, 40% of the turkeys die! The aim of this branch is to fatten the turkeys as quickly as possible. The breeding policy is focussed on a fast growing speed. A radical consequence of this selection is the fact that it is impossible for these animals to mate in a natural way. The cocks are too heavily bred. The hens can only be fertilised by artificial insemination.