78. Members of the working group visited a number of turkey producers during the study and observed that the incidence of leg disorders was low. They did not see evidence of problems in flocks of hen birds and concluded that present husbandry practices rarely led to significant leg disorders in female turkeys. They saw some evidence of leg disorders in stag birds close to killing weight.
79. Whilst leg weakness may not be a serious problem in all types of meat turkeys, we believe that heavier finishing stags are pre-disposed to lameness. The weight and conformation of these birds are major factors and it is necessary to distinguish between gait abnormalities caused by lameness and those caused by conformation. Nonetheless, a bird whose weight makes walking difficult is more likely to experience stress on the joints than one which walks normally.
80. Management techniques can help to prevent the occurrence of leg disorders in the flock. Leg problems can be minimised in various ways such as: carefully planned feeding programmes which add weight gradually; by encouraging activity, perhaps by manipulating the lighting programmes, thereby developing leg strength; and by taking precautions to avoid disease (e.g. by proper litter management and vaccination programmes). Breeding companies are aware that heavier meat stags are predisposed to leg weakness, so leg strength has always been one of their major selection criteria. Careful selection must continue and these companies should not seek to produce commercial lines that have extreme conformation. Likewise, turkey growers should not seek to exploit the limits of the birds' potential if this is likely to result in poorer welfare.
81. Many turkey farmers take steps to avoid lameness in their flocks but if the birds are mismanaged problems may occur. For example, poor quality litter can give rise to pododermatitis, which is a painful foot condition, and has also been associated with the muscular tremor known as the "shaky leg syndrome". These disorders can quickly affect a high proportion of a flock if not controlled. Good management, including adequate ventilation and attention to litter quality, helps significantly to avoid the predisposing factors which give rise to these problems. With some strains, particularly imported strains, limiting the maximum weight may be necessary.
82. We note that when turkeys suffer from lameness or are otherwise injured or sick, farmers usually remove the ailing birds promptly. Some choose to isolate the turkeys in a hospital pen when there is a good chance of a bird recovering. However, the turkeys should not be allowed to suffer and farmers must ensure the rigorous, humane culling of lame or otherwise sick birds which are unlikely to make a speedy recovery (see paragraphs 115-123).