I have no idea what to do

[Socialdistancechicken]

Hi I have a 4 week old turkey. Yesterday she was all fine and normal walking around and today she has one leg that bends the opposite direction idk what to do I'm separating her from the others shes not crying in pain or anything shes walkingish eating and drinking. When I held her to look at it she never winced or cried in pain

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like perosis or a slipped tendon which can happen from a deficiency. What are you feeding? Generally it isn't fixable, and will continue to worsen. Good nutrition is important for Turkey poults. Generally they need a game bird starter the first 4-8 weeks. Make sure the mill date isn't too old.

 

[Socialdistancechicken]

I have a medicated chick starter-grower. The feed itself isnt out of date. Thank you for the feedback

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chick starter doesn't have a high enough protein content, and isn't formulated for birds like turkeys. I don't believe they should get a medicated starter either as the medication blocks thiamine production and can cause problems.

 

[Socialdistancechicken]

I'll get her on a different feed tomorrow if I can find it. The reason I never changed feed I originally thought I got all chicks from the store but low and behold one wasnt what it was labeled as

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have raised poults on a non medicated chick starter with a daily treat of scrambled eggs. The scrambled eggs seem to help make up the difference. They grew a bit more slowly, but matured to regular size. Mine are heritage.

It's recommended to feed a 28% game bird starter for the first 4 weeks for poults, than drop to 24% for another month, than 18-20%.

I personally have never experienced perosis in my poults. I've used different feeds with success by supplementing with the scrambled eggs.

 

[Socialdistancechicken]

Thank you! I'll try that I was giving her some eggs from the broken eggs my wife was using for deviled eggs "win win" I made a sling to try keeping her leg straight with the other and twice a day I'm massaging her leg seeing if maybe her achilles popped out. Thank you for all your advice, I'm new to this whole world but have learned more than I ever thought i would in just two weeks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hopefully it helps. Some do improve. Wishing you luck yours does.