Chicken and Turkey CXCL12 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12), also known as SDF-1 (stromal cell–derived factor-1), is a homeostatic chemokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that plays an essential role in cell migration, immune cell trafficking, and tissue development. In chickens (Gallus gallus) and turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), the CXCL12 protein is identical at the amino acid level, indicating strong evolutionary conservation and suggesting similar biological functions in these avian species. CXCL12 primarily signals through the receptors CXCR4 and ACKR3 (CXCR7), regulating the migration and positioning of hematopoietic stem cells, lymphocytes, and other progenitor cells within tissues. In birds, CXCL12 is produced by stromal cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts, particularly within bone marrow and lymphoid tissues such as the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen, where it contributes to lymphocyte development, immune cell homing, and maintenance of hematopoietic niches. Because chemokine-mediated cell migration is essential for avian immune system development and responses to infection, CXCL12 in chickens and turkeys is studied in avian immunology, lymphoid organ development, and host–pathogen interaction research, helping to improve understanding of immune cell trafficking and immune system maturation in poultry.