2 weeks old poult scratching and shaking head for days.

[bullcitycabinet]

This is becoming a REAL EMERGENCY, I don't want to put a bird down that still eats heartily... someone's got to have some advice! I have to go back to work , I can't watch this thing anymore!

I've been reading a lot of posts about this problem, but every situation sounds a little different... so here's ours:
One out of my 4 two week old bronze turkies was scratching his ears so much, he tore all the feathers away. Both sides were a swollen pink puff, nasty stuff. No blood or open wounds, when I caught him. He's basicly been wrapped up in a cotton beanie living inside the house 5 days. I've been off work for the most part. He peeps when he has to use the bathroom, I let him out, he eats, drinks, poops, and goes back in the straightjacket.

He basicly does not ever stop scratching his ears, if his legs are free. He gets comfortable in the straightjacket (towl) until it's time for a poop. He sleeps fine, wrapped up, I know cause we been sleeping on the couch everynight.

He was dewormed by the people I got him from. None of my others and none of their turkies are acting like this, they lived together the first week.

I used Permethrin the second day, third day, and again today... there weren't any instructions on frequency.

I used a mixture of olive oil and tea tree oil 3 days ago, and again yesterday.

benedryl cream applied to pink external areas.

There really aren't any mights to see, no eggs, no lice, no fleas. I have been stupidly letting him play with the other 3 turkies a little everyday, just cause I wanted to see if it's contagious... doesn't seem like it.

No "worms in his eyes" ,
No snot coming out of his nose,
No wax in his ear (its easy to see, there arent any feathers)
No weird sneezing or wheezing or gurgles or gasping,
Poop looks like everyone else's
Healthy appetite for "chickstarter non-medicated" and water
He stays "****** off" at me for not letting him run around.
Totally responsive to sound

I ordered stuff to make this concoction (posted on here by Bear Foot Farm)

"
There's a good chance it's not mites
This works for infections and will kill mites too:
Blue Power Ear Wash Recipe:
16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol
4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%
Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well.
Shake this solution every time you use it to mix the Boric Acid Powder.


He's just lucky I've had 4 days off... he just needs a cone around his neck... a powdered donut might work.

**Is there ANYTHING over the counter I can use to sedate this young bird while I go to work?

How do I find a farm vet around Raleigh NC? I've asked everyone I know.

5/23 Blue powder solution had no effect 12 hours after application.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Maybe you could contact some of the dairy farmers in the area and ask who they recommend, although most Vets probably won't know much about Poultry
Good luck!

 

[seminolewind]

I just have to say that I noticed my dogs had fleas a few weeks ago. I bathed them with flea shampoo , and sprayed them with flea spray. All the fleas then moved onto their heads. Then I got them a cheap brand of Frontline. All the fleas moved to their legs! It was such a battle. I'm assuming the same thing can happen to chickens. Sounds like mites, or ear mites.

 

[bullcitycabinet]

Turkey dies, he started gasping and wheezing his last night. Thanks for everybody recommending fleas and mites, but I'd inspected him so many times, there definitely was no evidence of it. No farm vet would return my calls, no local farm store could recommend anyone to contact. Just sort of a loser situation for the turkey, after 2 weeks he was trained to sit on my shoulder, then fly off to poo on a pan. Guess it was some kind of bird flu? He slept on the couch with me for 2 weeks, guess I should be glad I didn't catch it.