This is my first experience with turkeys and I've got a little one that I hatched out last Thursday with an umbilical hernia which has long since dried, but still almost 1/2" in diameter. Since the day it hatched, the poult has not been quite as active as the others, but still active enough not to cause alarm. But then three days ago I woke up to find it very lethargic, just laying or standing with it's eyes closed, peeping so pitiful, barely eating or drinking anything, breathing about twice as fast as the others and with a soft popping or clicking sound with each breath, and with stools clear (like water) and very foamy. I've since been giving the poult a few sips of bio-active colloidal silver hydrosol 3 times a day, and praying that the poor thing pulls through. When this first started, I really didn't expect it live through the night, but here it is three days later and not only is it still alive, it has been up and around more today and as well as eating and drinking better, though much of the time it's still sitting and peeping with it's eyes closed. I'm not naive enough to think we're out of the woods yet, but as long as it's alive, there's always hope.
Unless it's gotten some type of systemic bacteria through the hernia, I haven't a clue as to what could be wrong with it. I've never had turkeys before, and none of the chicks (both chicken and quail), duckings, or goslings that I've hatched out over the years have ever exhibited signs like this.
Based on the symptoms I've given, what would those of you who have experience with turkeys think that this poult might have going on with it, and how might it best be treated?
Unless it's gotten some type of systemic bacteria through the hernia, I haven't a clue as to what could be wrong with it. I've never had turkeys before, and none of the chicks (both chicken and quail), duckings, or goslings that I've hatched out over the years have ever exhibited signs like this.
Based on the symptoms I've given, what would those of you who have experience with turkeys think that this poult might have going on with it, and how might it best be treated?
