Bloated turkey

[LaFonFamilyFarm]

This BBW turkey is 7 weeks old. His head, neck and breasts are full of air. I asked the hatchery he came from about it and they did not know what was going on. They recommend sticking him with a needle to relieve the pressure. I did and it went down for now. He had white mucus or saliva dripping. He has been walking around and eating just fine.
Does anybody know what this is? Cause, cure, prevention? So far this is the only one out of 25 to have this. Would appreciate any information about it. Thanks.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

@casportpony ! Welcome to BYC! Glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything!

 

[Eggcessive]

This sounds like a leaking air sac, also called subcutaneous emphysema. A needle inserted just under the skin can deflate it, but it can reaccumulate. If you have to repeat it, press out all of the air, and when the needle is removed, press a finger over the site and hold it there for a few minutes.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is the poult having any trouble breathing? Here is some info on deflating a leaking air sac:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/deflating-subcutaneous-emphysema.171121/

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! I agree, the one on his head looks like it could be a ruptured air sac. can you post a picture of the one on his chest?

 

[Eggcessive]

There is a disease called avian pneumovirus (swollen head syndrome) that affects turkeys, but I have no idea if that could be the problem or if it is a leaking air sac. Here is a link to read:
https://thepoultrysite.com/articles/avian-pneumovirus-current-status-and-control-programmes-used

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/avian-metapneumovirus/overview-of-avian-metapneumovirus

 

[LaFonFamilyFarm]

Thanks!
Any idea what caused the leek in the first place? Could it be a birth disorder (hatch disorder) or more likely injury?

 

[Eggcessive]

If it is a leaking air sac, that can happen with a bump, but infection can also cause it. Can you contact a vet? This might be a little more serious than what we can help with. Have you posted on the turkey forum as well?

 

[Eggcessive]

You can copy and paste your first post and post it on the turkey forum. Here is the turkey forum, and just click on the blue box where it says “post a new thread” :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/turkeys.20/

 

[casportpony]

Birds do have an air sac on the top of their head, so I think there is a good chance this is a ruptured air sac.

This is a duck, but I think all birds look like this:
(i) nasal passages; (ii) infra-orbital sinus; (iii) cervicocephalic air sac (single); (iv) clavicular air sacs; (v) cranial thoracic air sacs; (vi) caudal thoracic air sacs; and (vii) abdominal air sacs. (H) heart; (L) liver; (LU) lungs; (B) syringeal bulla (male ducks).