Vomiting for a defensive mechanism?!?!

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JoshnAmiee

JoshnAmiee

In the Brooder
5 Years
Mar 10, 2014
37
6
26
Tacoma, WA
Okay, I have had turkeys growing up, the whole nine yards... but I have never raised them myself. I did TONS of research before, and have continued to, but I have run into a baffling issue...

To begin, two weeks ago, we bought 2 straight run polts... 1 WBB & 1 BBB. When we bought them, we were told they were one week old, so that puts them at 3 weeks- today-

Anyway, everytime I pick one of them up, no matter how gentle; no matter how slow; or how much I avoid the crop and insist they walk onto my hand;

The little ____ vomits on me. Everytime! Clear fluid, but it is thick like saliva... doesn't seem to bother them, and when I put them back they go pound some water and they are good...

Any ideas? Or this is an anomaly, possibly caused by the hybridizing of turkeys to get production Broad-Breasted meat?
Any help is appreciated.
 
Stress induced regurgitation? You've never observed either of them doing this at any other time? Please keep us updated on any other `anomalous' behavior and to any change to the current response to handling.

Thanks for posting about this.
 
well I have spent yesterday & today observing them; they seem normal, healthy, & actively feeding/ watering as they need. This morning I decided to change the bedding, and noticed no unusual we spots before removing them (other than by their poo), but when I picked up the BBB to remove it in order to remove the shavings, BAM!! all over my hand, again... I am going to give them until Monday morning and then construct them an elevated floor (like I remember grandpa using until.... well, I dunno, but it was a cpl months at least) if I do not see any behavioral changes. The fluid remains clear, without bubbling or chunks, and comes in 1 large "reverse gulp" sort of; but the strangest part is his crop is still full afterwards??

Anyway, I will update Monday evening..
 
Huh. Fascinating. Are they still doing this?

I've never seen turkeys do this, BUT, I have a red frizzle hen who does it every time. She was hand raised, and is fairly tame. But if you pick her up, without a doubt, she will vomit clear fluid every time. We figured it was exactly that -- some sort of defense mechanism. Her way of saying, "oh heck no I do not want to be picked up!" It is exactly as you describe, a clear fluid that is somewhat thick. She's a year old now and is normal in every other way.
 
I moved my Narragansetts yesterday to a new pen. They are not people friendly. I got the tom and first hen in no problem. Picked the last hen up (she was P****d) and she did this exact same thing. Has to be stress induced or a defensive deal.
 
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I am beginning to think the same thing.

If I were to approach from the front, or side (anywhere visible) they tend not to vomit however if they are surprised, or not wanting to be "loved on", they throw the clear fluid.

We have learned to ensure we are visible to our poults now, and it has seemed to died off- at least for now lol

Thank you all for your input; it has helped tremendously as we were very concerned about it
 

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