Is anyone raising a deformed turkey?

[PIDGY]

One of my Blue Slates hatched with a deformity.... he has only one eye and is mostly blind. He's grown beautifully and I love him bunches.... despite of the deformity. I've always given him extra attention.

I've hand-raised him since hatching. For awhile, I didn't think he would survive long. But he's thriving very well. We built him a special enclosure and have raised his sister along with him.

He made his first gobbles a few weeks ago! I give them both lots of exercise, and he likes to flap his wings and run and hop around. I My other turkeys have accepted them both, but I cannot let him freely roam like I allow them to do during the day.

He's bonded to me (like my other 4 turkeys). He loves being pet a lot. I just would like to know if anyone else has dealt with a similar situation.

 

[Kevin565]

Yes I have in the past. Are you raising it for meat?

 

[PIDGY]

No, he's definitely become a pet.

 

[Kevin565]

Oh that's great because mine was a pet as well. What part of him is deformed?

 

[PIDGY]

He has only one eye and his beaks a little crooked.

 

[Kevin565]

Is he having problems eating or drinking? Is he in with other turkeys?

 

[PIDGY]

Hi! No, he's used to having his food and water dishes in the same area of the enclosure, and he definitely knows where they are. So, no problems with eating or drinking. I also stay with him and watch him eat.... to be sure. He's also housed with his sister.

 

[Kevin565]

That's a good sign especially with having a crooked beak. Was he born with the eye deformity?

 

[PIDGY]

Yes.... He was born with it. I think it's possible that his egg didnt get turned as much as needed during incubation. It's was his mama turkeys first clutch of eggs.

 

[Kevin565]

Despite his few deformities it sounds like he should be able to live a long happy life.