11 month old Bronze Turkey Hen walking drunk

[brokerdew]

Hi. My Turkey Hen has started having trouble walking. She falls forward and backward and tries to stable herself by flapping her wings. She is eating and drinking. I have found no injuries.
I am hoping this is not a case of too heavy for her legs. She weighs apprx. 25-30lbs. I dont really want to have to butcher her.
Our Tom stands guard over her.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

It sounds like it's the Tom that is too much weight for her.

 

[brokerdew]

Quote:
The Tom is just standing guard over her when there is activity in the barn. I have not seen them mate. Not to say that they havent. She spends most of her time in one spot due to her trouble walking.
This is my first experience with Turkeys. I have raised meat chickens and know about them getting too heavy for their legs. Is this a trait in Bronze Trukeys as well?

 

[ColbyNTX]

Not a trait in standard bronze but is in the broad breasted bronze which your is by the weight you listed. I hate to be the one to say it but it is time to butcher. Next time get standard bronze or any heratige breed if you want pets.

 

[brokerdew]

Quote:
Thanks......I have learned today that this is exactly my problem. Or the hen's problem. We discussed it today and are heading to the butcher soon. We are taking the Tom too as they are so attached.

What would one reccomend for pet turkeys. We just love watching and interacting with these two. They have brought us 1000 laughs.

On to research which breeds would be fun to have.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

any of the heritage breeds!

 

[ColbyNTX]

Heritage turkeys are what you want. They will live for years and breed naturally. I'm not advertising but a good website for looking at many of the different colors is at Porter's rare heritage turkeys. Just google it and look at many different colors and decide what you like. There are many local breeders around the country. In a month or 2 you will be able to find them a little eaiser as more turkeys begin to lay. There will be plenty on BYC from members or other places like craigslist. Be paitent and you will find the ones you want.

 

[brokerdew]

Thanks Everyone for your wisdom and advice. I am going to start researching and figure out what we want to get for pets.
These two will be hard to take in. They hubby said he cant do it. I am in charge of all the other meat birds, pigs, cow that head that way. So I guess I can do this. Never thought we would so attached to turkeys. But then again our ducks and chickens are a blast too!
Thanks again!