EFSA's scientific opinion on Welfare of turkeys on farm
Turkeys are raised for meat production in large flocks across the EU, mainly in indoor housing. Systems with covered veranda and outdoor range are also used. EFSA’s experts reviewed the latest scientific evidence to assess the living conditions of turkeys on farm and provided recommendations to improve their welfare, focusing on housing, management and breeding.
What kind of turkeys?
- Poults - hatched turkeys up to 7 days of age
- Turkeys kept for fattening - Turkeys kept between 15 and 22 weeks raised for their meat ranging from 7 kg to 25 kg respectively
- Breeding turkeys - Turkeys that are raised and selected to become the parents and older generations of turkeys kept for fattening
A focus on welfare
- Space - give turkeys enough room to perform motivated behaviours, at least 0.49 m2 for 7 kg birds and 0.82 m2 for 25 kg birds.
- Litterquality - keep litter dry, clean and friable.
- Environmental enrichment - provide foraging materials to explore and elevated platforms for perching.
- Air quality - ensure good ventilation keeping ammonia below 10 ppm and CO2
below 2000 ppm. - Breeding - breeding should focus on improving welfare such as strengthening leg health.
- Mutilations - mutilation practices such as beak trimming, de-snooding and toe-trimming
should be avoided. - Lightconditions - provide a minimum light intensity of 10 lux and
UV-A light.
Appropriate housing, management and breeding are key to improve turkey welfare and health.
EFSA is the keystone of EU risk assessment regarding food and feed safety. In close collaboration with national authorities and in open consultation with its stakeholders, EFSA provides independent scientific advice and clear communication on existing and emerging risks.
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978-92-9499-764-7 | doi:10.2805/7962103 | TM-01-26-003-EN-N