A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[SilkieSensation]

Wing drop can be for several reasons as well.
1-Sometimes feathers come in faster than the muscles develop & as the muscles strengthen the wings will return to normal position. Could take 4-5 days & there won't be any other symptoms.
2-Birds drop their wings away from their bodies to cool themselves. If it's hot or humid out, this is the most likely reason. Offer cold water & shade.
3-Young males like to show off & allowing a wing to drag the ground is part of that manly display. He will pull it up when he's done showing off.
4-Actual injury. If it doesn't improve in 4-5 days or other symptoms appear there may actually be something wrong. Just watch for now & see what he does.

Thanks Silkie! I've seen him drop his wings to cool off, and this seems different. It's only on one side and he can't pull the wing all the way up again. He tried to flap his wings and immediately stopped like it hurt him. It's only the bottom half of one wing and I think it might be an injury. He lets me feel it - which is a bit unusual in itself. The top half of his wing seems to be in a normal position. Anything I can do to help him beside wait? First time turkey mom, and I worry :/

Is he any better Fiesty? I agree with Silkie....observe for a day or two to see if it improves. I wouldn't think he'd have let you feel the wing with out showing some sign of it being broke. I'm wondering if he pulled a muscle somehow. Those are big and heavy wings. Poor guy. Is he acting normal...other than the wing droop?

If you truly think it's an injury, you can fold it where it belongs & gently use vet wrap to bind it in place. Wrap the wing a few times, then a couple strips around the body to help keeo it from slipping off, then a few more loops around the wing. Only leave it a couple days & take it off at least twice a day to let him try to exercise it. Leave it off for longer periods each time.

HOWEVER...if it is above about 75-80F there, I wouldn't wrap it. He will over heat & could have a heat stroke. If it's truly an injury & you have a place to put him out of the heat with a friend then try that, but not a good idea to wrap him & then leave him in the heat. Most sprains & strains will heal on their own in a few days anyway.

 

[feistychick]

If you truly think it's an injury, you can fold it where it belongs & gently use vet wrap to bind it in place. Wrap the wing a few times, then a couple strips around the body to help keeo it from slipping off, then a few more loops around the wing. Only leave it a couple days & take it off at least twice a day to let him try to exercise it. Leave it off for longer periods each time.

HOWEVER...if it is above about 75-80F there, I wouldn't wrap it. He will over heat & could have a heat stroke. If it's truly an injury & you have a place to put him out of the heat with a friend then try that, but not a good idea to wrap him & then leave him in the heat. Most sprains & strains will heal on their own in a few days anyway.

Thank you so much for the advice, he's my first turkey. I think for now I'll keep an eye on him and see if it clears up on its own. If it's still hanging badly tomorrow, I may try wrapping it with vet wrap (ack - I'm sure he and I will both enjoy that venture). I've got him in the pen with one chicken for company so that should keep him from trying to flap too much.

 

[feistychick]

Well the little turkeys had an adventure today, let them explore some tall grass.

Then they ran back to "mama".

So I think we might have at least one boy, maybe two. At least he now has stubby tail feathers - it looked really silly fluffing up the baby fuzz on his butt.

 

[charmedbaker]

Those little kids are so cute!

 

[City farm]

Well the little turkeys had an adventure today, let them explore some tall grass.

Then they ran back to "mama".

So I think we might have at least one boy, maybe two. At least he now has stubby tail feathers - it looked really silly fluffing up the baby fuzz on his butt.

No way how fun!!

 

[memphis]

Aww...I'm having baby turkey envy! Waiting for a Turkules update. Hoping he's doing better!

 

[duluthralphie]

Memphis,
I am going to have to get rid of Tom. Picking Toms to get rid of is very hard. The last time I got rid of Toms I did not know which Tom I was keeping until the evening before the Asian Mafia lady arrived.


MM The first photo is better than the second, IMHO. If you want a little better quality just talk to Dinner about posing again, in the same spot as the first one.

It is a cold dreary day here, so not sure what I will get done. I can't understand why we can't have 68-72 degree days year round. Today reminds me of the coming winter way too much.

 

[mountain mom]

Ralphie! Poor Daisy. ..she's been through enough! Realized this morning as they were free ranging that if I got out of her sight she starts making loud turk turk sounds. Almost sounds like a bark. When I go see what the heck is wrong she'd start that trill. When taking a break I go sit in the chair out there & Daisy comes over & lays down. Sighhh....my little buddy.
I'm taking MM's advice. I've trained enough dogs....certainly I can train Miss Daisy!

MM...gorgeous turkeys! The Blue Slate is stunning! By the way....is that a red-tri australian shepherd?? Or a BC?

Thanks! Ajax is a red merle aussie. Such a good boy!

 

[chickadoodles]

MM any of those would be perfect to enter! I am partial to the last one.

 

[chickadoodles]

Feistychick your little turks are so cute!