3 month old turkey pecking holes in his own legs?

[purpletree23]

Is there a pox vaccine? If there is I will definately have my chicks vaccinated because this stuff is horrible.

 

[hinkjc]

Yes, there is a pox vaccine. It is best to check with your ag dept to see if it is recommended where you are located. From what I have read, Pox tends to be worse in southern states, however since it is carried by mosquitos, it can really show up anywhere.

 

[threehorses]

Funny thing about pox - I've had it every year I've had chickens here and it's usually mild. It's certainly more mild on chickens than on turkeys. Just scabs, very much like kiddo's chicken pox. They don't get feverish, usually do fine. Sometimes they get a little under the weather but nothing good nutrition and spot supplementation can't handle. But turkeys... phew!

I have never felt inclined to vaccinate against pox even knowing that it happens annually, even with my show flocks when I had them (before the raccoons took them over). But now, next group will get pox vaccines for sure. It was just too bad here, changed the shape of one of my pullet's combs, just scarred them. Even if I don't have turkeys.

For most people it's usually not necessary. But I did see a really bad case of pox in one flock here on BYC this year where it got against the eye and caused the eyes' surroundings to swell. Just bad.

The problem with mouth sores usually isn't wet pox (diphtheria) involvement, it's that they hurt and don't want to eat. Then if they don't eat, they don't heal.