Blackhead disease question

[ivan3]

Check this thread and links provided in it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=357671&p=1 (med. etc.)

Your State might (DNR/AG) be able to help you out with this. However, other poultry folks, from Mich., on BYC, might be able to provide info from their own experience. Symptoms of other diseases can look like Blackhead. Do not assume. From your description of symptoms it could well be he has a mechanical blockage of some sort.

slc is right on the money (fishzole/metronidazole/flagyl - all the same and the best one can do as dimetridazole is no longer available) IF your poor guy has blackhead.

Good luck!

 

[Rachel's Hobby Hatchery]

Can Worms cause these symptoms? I havnt seen any in the dropings. Can I use Ivormecton on him? how much shold I use? I used Ivormecton on my pet rats to get rid of mites & it worked so I dnot see why I cant use it on a turkey... Just a thought.

 

[ivan3]

If you have a x20 loupe and an empty jar with a lid (clear glass). You can scoop up some poop and mix it with water, shake up jar (with lid, of course) and check with loupe for little strands (very short-since you haven't seen them with the naked eye already- and more than a few - if you have a microscope let me know - have good shots in one of these books and I'll scan them in and post them up) in the suspension. Below are a couple of good threads on worming (Wilds of Pa's posts particularly). Go with Valbazen, if possible. Don't really think what you've described so far is either Blackhead or worms - but need more info.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=233729&p=1
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=205247&p=1

How old is the turk, what are you feeding hm, are there any other signs/symptoms, how long has it been since you first noticed change in behavior/appearance. Anything else that might have been going on before this behavior/these symptoms started? Can you post a pic of what he looks like now?

 

[marquisella]

Has anyone thought he might have coccidia? The symptoms are the same. If she has had this turkey for a while, I understand blackhead shows up f rom 2 -3 weeks after exposure.
If the turkeys have been there longer than that it probably isn't blackhead.

Sue

 

[Rachel's Hobby Hatchery]

The turkey is 8 months old. I started noticing symptoms at the end of october, so 2 mounths ago. His mate died in october, right after he started showing symptoms, showing simaler symptoms. She had just started laying & I belive she died because she got an egg stuck & it came out with her intestines... as for other symptoms the whole list is: Paisty dark poop (not watery or dry), dull feathers, head tucked close to his body, he is filthy and stinks. his nose isnt swollen or runny... about the time I notesed the first symptoms he had a limp but that went away on it's own within a day. I think he stepped on somthing... I cant think of anything else. He is still eating & drinking (not drinking as much but it is winter). please lmk what you think. -Rachel

 

[marquisella]

Rachel's Hobby Hatchery :

The turkey is 8 months old. I started noticing symptoms at the end of october, so 2 mounths ago. His mate died in october, right after he started showing symptoms, showing simaler symptoms. She had just started laying & I belive she died because she got an egg stuck & it came out with her intestines... as for other symptoms the whole list is: Paisty dark poop (not watery or dry), dull feathers, head tucked close to his body, he is filthy and stinks. his nose isnt swollen or runny... about the time I notesed the first symptoms he had a limp but that went away on it's own within a day. I think he stepped on somthing... I cant think of anything else. He is still eating & drinking (not drinking as much but it is winter). please lmk what you think. -Rachel

=I'm new to turkeys, but if he was a chicken,I would think worms or coccidia.
Both are treatable. Try corid or sulmet for coccidia, and if that doesn't help, then worm.

Sue​

 

[Rachel's Hobby Hatchery]

just watched my tom poop while I was feeding, it was like a spiggot was turned on.

no solid at all.

 

[Sandbellie]

Rachel's Hobby Hatchery :

just watched my tom poop while I was feeding, it was like a spiggot was turned on.

no solid at all.

How is the turkey now?​

 

[Frosty]

Most of the symptoms mentioned (droopy feathers, head pulled in, etc...) are pretty common anytime a turkey doesn't feel good. The yellow poop of a turkey with blackhead can also be caused by other things, it simply means that something is affecting the liver. With no yellow poop, and considering how long this has been going on, I really don't think it's blackhead. I would start with worming him and go from there. You can also feed him some hot peppers.

 

[Rachel's Hobby Hatchery]

OK, its been a while but he seems to be back to normal, i think... how does a turkey's poop usually look??? he still seens to have trouble getting the droppings out. but he has more energy now and has been eating better. he now comes when I call him, like he used to. I still want to worm him but I dont know how much ivormec to give him its accully "zermecton" brand but its ivormec 1.somthing%