alienated turkey

[turksinmaine]

I have quite a few turkeys. the toms separated from the hens. Anyhow, one of the turkeys what I assume has some dark spots on his head black small spots. I would worry and think blackhead disease possibly but no other is showing this and I have no chickens, which I assume that is how the turkey can aquire this? Theser turkeys are 1 year old, upon noticing this turkey keeps getting pecked at by any and all other toms it gets near, and when in coop stays away from rest. I think, but when you have many it is hard to know one from the other, I believe he is the same on I caught in with the hens, he flew over the 6 foot fencwe to them for most of the day which made the others mad, to say the least. The spots are on head and neck. grayish black in some areas but a few to half a dozen or so areas that is dark black, the spots each are not much larger than a bb, with one or two the size round of a 22 caliber shell. is this to be concerned with?I do though believe it is from sparring with others, and if I am right, is there a way to stop the others from picking on this one turkey? afraid the way trhey are going at it he'll wind up dead sooner or later. maybe just me but it does seem as though he has gotton a little smaller since this all started about a week ago.
Before asking I have never had chickens, and none of my birds have come in near contact with one.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Blackhead is in your soil, chickens I believe are an intermediate host, the organism that causes blackhead is carried by fecal worms which can infect both chickens and turkeys, chickens don't actually get sick with blackhead like turkeys do so it's recommended not to keep them together if it's present on your property.

Blackhead will often cause the whole head to darken. The spots you are seeing are more than likely peck spots. Wounds on the head will have dark scabs.

What are your goals for your turkeys, keeping the sexes separated can lead to frustration for the toms. It's best to pick some to keep with the hens and rehomed or butcher the rest.

 

[turksinmaine]

it is a temp situation, I have 2 different breeds so I need to arrange 2 separate spots for the hens. and yes several are going to slaughter shortly at a later date.