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PARDON A TURKEY

A 2023 Undercover Investigation Exposing Cruelty in the Turkey Industry Will Make You Rethink Thanksgiving Dinner

“PARDON” A TURKEY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

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HIDDEN CAMERAS UNVEIL
HORRORS THAT
CONSUMERS NEVER SEE

In 2023, a Mercy For Animals undercover investigator captured the span of turkeys’ brutal lives. From their arrival at the farm when they are just a few days old to the moment they are sent to slaughter, their lives are filled with suffering.

The investigation clearly shows the grim, unnatural life cycle of farmed turkeys. Forced into the meat industry, these birds face misery and pain from hatching to slaughter. These animals never know their mothers’ love, never feel sunlight on their backs or grass beneath their feet.

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HERE’S WHAT OUR CAMERAS CAPTURED:

  • Trapped Beneath Her Peers

    Stuck under a pile of dead birds, this baby turkey suffered respiratory distress and injuries.

  • Electrocuted

    One bird who instinctively tried to perch became trapped in electrical wire and died from burns and shock.

  • Kicked and Thrown

    Shoved and kicked onto a conveyor belt that loaded her into a truck, this bird fell and was grabbed by her delicate wing and hurled inside.

BY THE NUMBERS

  • 212 MILLION TURKEYS were raised in the United States in 2022, and 5.3 billion pounds of turkey meat are produced each year.

  • That’s roughly the weight of
    7 EMPIRE STATE BUILDINGS.

  • 46 MILLION TURKEYS are slaughtered for Thanksgiving in the United States.

  • Turkeys are typically killed between 9 and 21 weeks of age, while their natural LIFESPAN IS 10 YEARS.

CRUELTY CRITICS

The majority of the millions of turkeys raised in the United States each year experience very poor welfare throughout their shortened lives.
—Walter Sánchez-Suárez,
Animal Behavior and Welfare Scientist
Bred for rapid growth, these animals are prone to serious health problems. They are typically farmed in intensive systems that disregard their behavioral needs for the sake of increased profits.
—Walter Sánchez-Suárez,
Animal Behavior and Welfare Scientist
Under U.S. law, turkeys have no welfare protections at slaughter. Sadly, all standard U.S. slaughter methods subject these sensitive animals to severe distress and pain.
—Walter Sánchez-Suárez,
Animal Behavior and Welfare Scientist

Did You Know?

  • BONDED BIRDS

    In the wild, turkeys are highly social, quite affectionate, and happiest in close-knit groups. A hen and her young stay together for as long as five months, and brothers form lifelong bonds.

  • AVIAN EMPATHS

    Turkeys grieve the loss of their flock members, and some are so sensitive to the pain of others that they suffer heart attacks after witnessing the slaughter of a mate.

  • FAMILIES FOREVER

    When turkeys are separated from their flocks, they cry out in distress, calling for their families until they are reunited.

CHOOSE TO LEAVE TURKEYS OFF YOUR PLATE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Make your holiday a celebration for birds too. The compassionate recipes in our new digital cookbook—Plant-Powered Holidays: Delicious Recipes for a Turkey-Free Table—are simple, tasty, and sure to appeal to everyone gathered around your table.

Together, we can build a food system that is good for animals, people, and our planet.

Veg Starter Guide

Download our FREE veg starter guide for delicious plant-based recipes.

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ANIMALS NEED YOUR HELP!

You can make a difference for animals by joining Mercy For Animals today.

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