As Thanksgiving approaches, many Canadians are planning their holiday feasts, with turkey being a central feature at many dinner tables. As we gather to give thanks, consider the welfare of the turkeys that play such a significant role in our celebrations.
In Canada, 513 turkey farmers raise turkeys for consumption. During Thanksgiving in 2023, 2.1 million whole turkeys were purchased by Canadians, equal to 37% of all whole turkeys sold over the year.
Sadly, many of these turkeys are raised on intensive farms, where they are subject to crowded conditions, lack of outdoor access, and painful physical alterations.
The good news is that there are alternatives to intensive farming. By choosing higher welfare this Thanksgiving, you can help turkeys live better lives and support the farmers who care for them.
What does higher-welfare turkey mean?
In Canada, the Codes of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals (the Codes) set the minimum standard of care expected from all Canadian farmers. Higher welfare refers to raising animals to higher standards than those in the Codes. In the case of turkeys, this can mean:
Greater indoor space requirements
Turkeys are typically raised indoors in barns where they are free to roam. While the Code outlines minimum space allowances, turkeys raised on higher-welfare farms have even more room to freely move and express their natural behaviours.
Slower growth
Turkeys raised in commercial production have been selectively bred over the years to grow very large in an unnaturally short time. Their fast growth can lead to lameness and reduce their mobility. Higher-welfare farms may set limits on the growth rates of their turkeys or may choose to raise slower-growing breeds.
Outdoor access
In Canada, most turkeys are raised indoors due to weather extremes and the risk of predation and disease. It is not a requirement in the Code to provide turkeys with access to the outdoors. However, providing outdoor access offers opportunities for environmental enrichment and increased exercise. When managed carefully, higher-welfare farms can successfully provide the benefits of outdoor access to their turkeys while minimizing the risks.
Environmental enrichment
Feather pecking (when birds peck at each other’s feathers) can be a problem in turkey flocks, especially if it involves injuring one another. Enrichment has been found to play an important role in preventing and reducing injurious feather pecking. However, providing environmental enrichment is not a requirement in the Code. Higher-welfare farms generally provide enrichment through straw bales or other foraging material to encourage redirection of feather pecking behaviour.
No physical alterations
In Canada, poults (young turkeys) often undergo procedures at the hatchery that are intended to protect their welfare in the long term. However, these procedures cause pain, and pain control is not a requirement in the Code. At the hatchery, poults may undergo beak treatment (removal of the beak tip to prevent injuries from feather pecking), toe treatment and dew claw removal (to prevent injuries to other birds during mating), and snood removal (the part of the turkeys that is likely to be injured). On higher-welfare farms, many of these procedures are prohibited. Instead, the farms adjust how birds are housed and cared for to reduce the conditions that lead to these behaviours.
Reduced transport time
In Canada, turkeys can be transported for up to 36 hours without feed, water, and rest. The transportation process (which includes catching, loading, transporting, and holding at the slaughter facility) is very stressful for animals and involves a risk of injury and even death. On higher-welfare farms, time in transport is reduced to better protect the welfare of the turkeys.
How to identify higher-welfare turkey
When shopping for your Thanksgiving turkey, look for the following certifications which ensure turkeys are raised to high standards of care and the farms are independently inspected to ensure the standards are being met:
While turkeys raised on farms certified under the above programs may cost more, the extra cost reflects the higher standard of care they receive.
If you cannot find a certified turkey, look for the “free-range” label – this means that turkeys have access to the outdoors, weather permitting. Remember, it is standard practice for turkeys in Canada not to be raised in cages, so don’t be fooled by the “free-run” label!
Consider plant-based options
If you are vegetarian or vegan or want to try a plant-based Thanksgiving, there are many plant-based options for you to consider. Plant-based turkey alternatives are becoming more popular, and many taste great! Check out more plant-based holiday meal ideas.
Remember, as a consumer, you have the power to create change. We celebrate any action an individual takes to prevent animal suffering, including consumers who choose plant-based and higher-welfare options.
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