In recent years, the United States has faced a significant challenge in its turkey industry due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by the H5N1 virus. This outbreak has had devastating consequences for commercial turkey flocks, resulting in substantial losses.
The unexpected rise of wild turkeys
Before delving into the impact of HPAI on commercial turkeys, let’s explore the unexpected success story of wild turkeys. Approximately 50 years ago, efforts were made to reintroduce wild turkeys to the northeastern United States. At that time, no one anticipated that these birds would thrive in suburban areas. However, they did just that. Ted Walski, a biologist from New Hampshire Fish and Game, released 25 turkeys as part of the reintroduction program. Fast forward to today, and the population of wild turkeys in New Hampshire alone has reached around 45,000 birds—a remarkable achievement.
Wild turkeys have adapted well to living alongside humans. They take advantage of habitat edges, feed on human-provided food (including birdseed), and face fewer natural predators. However, their bold behavior has also led to conflicts, such as disrupting traffic and pecking at doors. In some cases, they’ve even attacked people. Despite these challenges, the wild turkey population continues to thrive in New England and neighboring states.
The grim toll on commercial turkeys
While wild turkeys have flourished, the commercial turkey industry has faced a different fate. The HPAI outbreak has hit turkey flocks hard. Here are the key points:
- Number of affected flocks: A total of 340 U.S. commercial turkey flocks have been affected during the past three years. Of these, 305 were meat turkey flocks, 25 were turkey breeder hen flocks, and four were turkey breeder replacement hen flocks.
- Bird losses: Approximately 14.7 million turkeys have been lost due to HPAI. Most of these losses (13.98 million) were meat turkeys, while breeder hens and replacement hens accounted for the rest.
- Comparison with other poultry types: Turkey flocks have borne the brunt of the outbreak. By comparison, the egg industry lost 57 flocks, the broiler industry lost 43 flocks, and the duck industry lost 24 flocks.
- Monthly trends: The majority of turkey flock losses occurred in 2024, with 185 flocks affected. In 2023, 91 flocks were lost, and during the first seven months of 2024, 30 flocks were affected.
- Overall impact: U.S. turkey losses represent about 14.67 percent of the total commercial poultry losses during this period.
Looking ahead
The battle against HPAI continues, and poultry producers are closely monitoring cases. While the wild turkey success story is heartening, the commercial industry faces ongoing challenges. As the outbreak persists, efforts to control the virus remain critical. The impact on the turkey supply chain underscores the need for vigilance and biosecurity measures.
In summary, the HPAI outbreak has reshaped the landscape for both wild and commercial turkeys in the United States. While wild turkeys thrive, commercial flocks grapple with losses, emphasizing the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and poultry production.
Sources: Available upon request