Can someone take another look at Jack; ? molting or ? sick. More pics

laturcotte1

Songster
9 Years
May 22, 2010
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Please don't think I'm obsessed but I am new to turkeys I came on the other day because I thought he was sick. Someone here mentioned he was probably molting. My thought he was done molting, the chickens and the geese are done and he seemed to be until about 3 days ago. He stands fluffed his feathers are a mess (they were growing in nicely), He had a nice smooth blue face which is extremely pale. He eyes are closed most times, he seems chilled, he also doesn't gobble when we talk to him. Maybe I'm paranoid. He stands and preens himself, seems to be eating and drinking and pooping fine. I guess I just need to re assured one more time.

Eyes closed here and this white pimple type thing at the bottom of waddle. You can see how pale his face is.

The back of his head was smooth and bright red. Now it looks like this. When they molt does their waddle change also?

Holding himself like he's cold.
 
If his eyes look like that most of the time, then yes, I would say he doesn't feel well.

That doesn't narrow it down. It could be an injury or any number of illnesses.

Perhaps you could put some poultry antibiotic into his drinking water. If you start antibiotic, use the full course.
 
I wouldn't worry about the white spot, and I wouldn't worry about the bumps developing on his head. But the posture is not real good, especially if associated with lack of activity. Unlike many on this site, I would do nothing (maybe extra vitamins in the water). There is a very good chance that the turkey will be fine in three or four days with no treatment. I don't use antibiotics and I have never had a turkey older than three weeks die from disease. I have had one turkey that never gained back its weight, but most sick turkeys aren't dying. Some may die eventually, and that's a chance I take. But I eat and sell my turkeys, and its important to have antibiotic free products.
 
I'm still new to turkeys, too, but I would agree with others that if he normally carries himself like that, he's probably feeling ill. However, I'm in the same boat as Lagerdogger on the antibiotics. I tend not to use them because my turkeys are raised for eating. I have a little jake that was sick a couple of months ago. I put some vitamins in his water and kept an eye on him, and a couple of days later, he was back to normal.
 

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