Species: Turkeys

Most common housing systems and practices for keeping turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) in the EU

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Jutta Berk, Joanna Marchewka, Virginie Michel, Nienke van Staaveren, Oana Maria Balmoș, Chiara Fabris, Yves Van der Stede, Cristina Rojo Gimeno, Antonio Velarde, Anja Brinch Riber

Published in 2026

New EFSA technical report describing livestock systems, the turkey production process, and the duration of its various stages. In the European Union, the most common housing systems for fattening turkeys are indoor farming with and without outdoor access and/or covered verandas. Breeding stock are kept indoors. In addition, the report describes the management of turkey poults in hatcheries.

Document types: Technical documents

Animal categories: Poultry

Welfare assessment of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) on farm

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW), Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Anette Boklund, Sabine Dippel, Fernanda Dorea, Jordi Figuerola, Mette S. Herskin, Virginie Michel, Miguel Angel Miranda Chueca, Eleonora Nannoni, Romolo Nonno, Karl Stahl, Jutta Berk, Joanna Marchewka, Nienke van Staaveren, Oana Maria Balmos, Chiara Fabris, Olaf Mosbach-Schulz, Yves Van der Stede, Marika Vitali, Cristina Rojo Gimeno, Antonio Velarde, Anja Brinch Riber

Published in 2026

New EFSA scientific opinion identifyinh key welfare concerns for turkeys. To improve turkey welfare, the EFSA experts recommend increasing space allowances, implementing appropriate enrichment techniques, phasing out mutilations, and avoiding the practice of culling flocks.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Poultry

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Actualités Règlementation – Application de la règlementation bien-être animal lors de l’abattage, prenant en compte les spécificités des petits abattoirs de volailles et lagomorphes

RMT Alimentation locale

Published in 2024

Conclusions du travail du réseau mixte technologique Alimentation locale concernant la justification de l’application du règlement européen sur la protection des animaux au moment de leur mise à mort dans les petits abattoirs volailles et lagomorphes. Plus spécifiquement, la formation exigée d’un Responsable de la Protection Animale en petits abattoirs (< 150 000 oiseaux) semble disproportionnée. Une instruction technique de la DGAL pour mieux cadrer cela devrait être publiée courant 2024.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal trade, Euthanasia, Processing, Transport

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Final report of a fact-finding mission of Italy in order to collect information on the national system for the protection of turkey welfare on farm - European Commission

DG Health - European Commission

Published in 2024

European Commission report on the national legislation and systems put in place by Italy to protect the welfare of turkeys during production. Italy has transposed, implemented and, for certain parameters, further developed the EU legal framework. However, there is still room for improvement in areas such as stocking densities, mutilation and environmental enrichment.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keyword:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Housing, Livestock buildings, Mutilation

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001193/2024: Legislative proposals on harmonised animal welfare rules for turkeys

Question: Tom Vandenkendelaere (PPE). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Answer from the European Commission to a parliamentary quetion on the timetable for the presentation of future legislative proposals following on from the EFSA's opinion on animal welfare and, more specifically, on turkey welfare.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Housing, Societal issues

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Indicator factsheets (EURCAW-Poultry-SFA)

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2024

Technical data sheets published by EURCAW-Poultry-SFA containing the main indicators for the assessment of the state of consciousness of broilers and turkeys, the "iceberg" indicators to assess severe pecking, feather cleanliness, foot pad dermatitis in broilers and leg lesions at slaughter in laying hens.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Aggression, Animal-based measurements, Pain, Education, Euthanasia, Welfare indicators, Mutilation, Vocalisation

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The use of animal-based measures at slaughter for assessing the welfare of turkeys on farm: EFSA scientific NCPs Network exercise

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Marika Vitali, Gizella Aboagye, Denise Candiani, Cristina Rojo Gimeno, Yves Van der Stede, Chiara Fabris

Published in 2023

Report on work, carried out by the network of national contact points providing scientific support on animal welfare at the time of killing, on turkey welfare. This work produced a list of animal-based measures considered by the experts to be useful for on-site recording and monitoring activities in abattoirs to retrospectively assess the on-farm welfare of turkeys .

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Carcass quality, Welfare indicators

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Positive Welfare Indicators and Their Association with Sustainable Management Systems in Poultry

Maria Papageorgiou, Michael Goliomytis, Ouranios Tzamaloukas, Despoina Miltiadou, Panagiotis Simitzis

Published in 2023

Scientific review of positive welfare indicators in the main poultry species and their link with sustainable farm management. Indicators include exploration, dust baths, nest building, perching, and swimming (for waterfowl).

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators

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Relevant Indicators of Consciousness after Waterbath Stunning in Turkeys and Stunning Efficiency in Commercial Conditions

Alexandra Contreras-Jodar, Aranzazu Varvaró-Porter, Antonio Velarde, Virginie Michel

Published in 2023

Scientific article evaluating the prevalence and repeatability among observers of the four most valid and usable indicators of consciousness after waterbath stunning in turkeys before bleeding (tonic convulsion, respiration, spontaneous blinking and vocalization) and during bleeding (wing beating, respiration, spontaneous swallowing and head shaking).

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Consciousness, Carcass quality, Stress

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IPWA Key Welfare Indicators Reference Guide - Turkeys

IPWA

Published in 2023

Results-based key welfare indicator guide for turkeys

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Carcass quality, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Mutilation, Human-animal relationships, Livestock farming system, Transport

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