Help my Turnkeys are acting drunk

[formyson]

I had five turkeys, they are in a two section pen, one section is an open flight pen with netting on top to keep predators out, but allow sun and air in. The second part is enclosed and has a roof, but the top few feet has flight netting to allow air circulation.
There is shavings on the side with the roof, the other is a dirt floor with a few shavings. Both rooms are approx. ten foot wide by 20 foot long. So there is plenty of room to roam around.

My turkeys will be one year old in July. They have started laying already.

We pick clover and five it to them for a treat, otherwise they are on scratch and laying pellets from our co-op.
I hatched them myself and they have grown great, with no problems, or sickness.

Even the dead birds seem fine, there is not snot, no drainage, etc.
They started acting funny yesterday, two of them. They would sit, and not get up, and acted like they were drunk, when we tried to get them up to walk. We took them to the water and food, and they would drink.
Both died, one last night one was dead this morning, but now one more is acting the same way.

The only thing we have done differently is change from Tractor supply food to the local co-op, and we gave them oyster shells two days ago.

I am at a loss and heartbroken. We are raising these because of my son's food allergies. So he can have eggs he can eat, and I was hoping by Thanksgiving and Christmas to have two for the meal.

 

[formyson]

inside

 

[A.T. Hagan]

My first thought would be to examine the feed closely, the new stuff you got from the local mill.

Is the outside of the bag stained or discolored like it's been wet in the past?

If it's a pelletized feed then it should be obvious if it's been wet because the pellets will crumble. But possibly they have become moldy. Do they appear to be discolored? DON'T sniff them. If they are moldy do not sniff them.

Another possibility is that there is a serious problem with the way the feed is mixed. Too much salt perhaps.

You might also examine the oyster shell though what could have gone wrong with that I cannot imagine. More of a rule-out than something might really be wrong with it.

 

[Maryallison]

That is interesting, because ours started to do the same thing. We had lost one hen and now another is doing the same thing. Her wings are dropping down to the ground and when (if she moves) she walks she staggers like she is drunk. Have not change any of their food or added anything different. This is there first laying season and we hatched them last year. They have a two section pen(area), the open area is 8 x 10 and the shelter area is 6 x 8. It just seems like they are dying off one by one. Please any help would be grateful.

 

[KrisH]

something in my mind says to look up vitimin B12. if i remember correctly low b12 will give similar symptoms.

RobetH

 

[KrisH]

also fount this quote on the following link...

http://www.squidoo.com/Raising-Turkey-Meat

If you notice your turkeys are wondering around acting drunk, there's a good chance they are lacking in particular vitamins and nutrients, you can get a commercial mix for the water from your feed store, or you can try feeding different types of organic foods to increase vitamin and nutrient content of their feet. Some have used alfalfa and had this problem solved and there may be other types of organic feed you can use, look into organic turkey food on the Internet.

 

[ivan3]

Sorry you all (and your turks) are in these straits.

Couple of thoughts: Was there a sudden change in the weather shortly before onset of symptoms, e.g., lots of rain/much colder/warmer? What have the droppings looked like since the onset of symptoms? When the turks `sit' down are the legs completely stretched out/difficulty standing(struggling up from their hocks)?

Any other signs/symptoms (trembling/turning in circles, etc.)?

In both your situations I'd change out feed (A.T. Hagan is on the money, sudden onset of neurological symptoms is often associated with some sort of mycotoxin related `intoxication). However, without necroscopies this is all `blue skying'.

Might also be helpful to clean out coop/sheds and spray down area with Oxine.

Polyvisol Enfamil (without iron) liquid vitamins can be given 3 drops a day for a week and taper off. If the turks are drinking/eating only minimal amount you can also add Pedialyte (electrolytes) to their water (50/50). Try getting them to eat crushed hard boiled eggs with meal worms, as well (moths/crickets anything that will get them interested).

Check with your Sate Vets/University Vet schools to find out who will perform necroscopies (don't freeze carcass - just keep cooled on ice until deliver to lab). A gross examination done at home can be useful (check for discoloration of liver/obvious lesions in GI tract, etc).

Good luck!