Gumby Turkey Poult- Possible AE

[RFCA]

I got 17, day old poults of various types from *edited* hatchery on Wednesday. When I got back from dinner I found one of the previously active poults has gone, for lack of a better term gumby. It appeared to be sleeping but when one of the other poults ran over it, it didn't move, then when it got pushed over on its side, it was unable to right itself. It flailed a little bit and kicked its legs straight but was clearly not able to articulate itself upright again. When I pick it up, it's neck kind of flops back down. It's eyes open wide and it chirps. It doesn't appear to have any other symptoms. It doesn't appear to be sick or injured but is there something I should be looking for that I may be missing? I was thinking with the suddeness that it might be a physical injury. These are my first turkeys and when I look up the symptoms online, it appears they have every disease known to poultry. Anyone have thoughts?

Thanks,

Marsha

*Edited because I'm throwing out the name of an infectious disease that would have come from the hatchery. Until the dead poults are tested, and a disease proven, I don't want to defame the hatchery.*

 

[Happy Chooks]

Do you have chicks in with them? I don't have a lot of experience with turkeys, but they do best when they learn to eat and drink from chicks. Also, they need a high protein feed, like game bird starter.

 

[RFCA]

Update: At this point, the vet (who has limited poultry experience but is researching like crazy) and I suspect Avian Encephalomyelitis. I expect two more will be dead when I get home and we will send them up to UC Davis for testing. This disease works fast. The first few died within hours of showing symptoms. The poult I originally posted about was dead before I finished posting. The two that are currently ill have lasted over 12 hours though so maybe their immune systems are fighting it now. It's pretty heartbreaking to watch these little guys go from vivacious little poults to weak and shakey in a matter of hours.