Broad breasted white died!

[rohnsherd]

I have 4 broad breasted turkeys(2-white2-bronze). The white hen started panting and almost sneezing/heavy breathing a while back. I guess I should have read more into it because is found her dead this afternoon. I never noticed any bloody stool etc. this is my first experience with turkeys so what did I do wrong? Fresh water daily food all the time. She always ate and drank(that I noticed). I do realize death is a part of like but raising a bird to this age(16 weeks or so) is quite upsetting. Ideas?

 

[ivan3]

Sorry to hear that. The other three are fine? If so, you could be looking at anything from a disease (like pulmonary E. Coli - I've seen the symptoms and they match your description), to a heart defect. Broad breasted turks have been bred for their meat - not disease resistance or their `constitution'. Just watch the others closely for similiar symptoms (P. E. coli is usually not contagious).