Breeding
Last updated 25 September 2020
Baiada and Ingham’s, the two largest turkey producers in Australia, import their breeder turkey eggs from overseas. Due to selective breeding, which often causes leg and joint issues in turkeys, breeder flocks are fed a restricted diet to control their weight. This means breeder birds are left chronically hungry.
Hens reach sexual maturity at 7 months old, laying approximately 105 eggs in a 28 week time frame.
Breeder flocks live in the same conditions as those raised for consumption. This means they experience the same health issues in the environment they are raised in, however breeder turkeys' health issues are exacerbated as they are housed in these conditions much longer.