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As I understand it, chickens show little or no signs of this parasitic protozoan, it's harmless to them but dangerous to turkeys. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, though.
I understand from reading about this that chickens and other poultry can carry blackhead but do not suffer from it. It passes through their poop into the ground where worms absorb it. Worms are also carriers and don't suffer the disease. The result is that Blackhead remains in the soil for years waiting for a passing turkey to pick it up.
Many people keep turkeys and chickens together with no problem. Perhaps it has geographic or climatic limits or some people have been lucky so far. I would follow the standard advice and not let turkeys anywhere near to chickens. It might help to ask any neighbouring turkey keepers if they have had a problem with Blackhead or just a high death rate amongst the flocks.
As I understand it, chickens show little or no signs of this parasitic protozoan, it's harmless to them but dangerous to turkeys. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, though.
I understand from reading about this that chickens and other poultry can carry blackhead but do not suffer from it. It passes through their poop into the ground where worms absorb it. Worms are also carriers and don't suffer the disease. The result is that Blackhead remains in the soil for years waiting for a passing turkey to pick it up.
Many people keep turkeys and chickens together with no problem. Perhaps it has geographic or climatic limits or some people have been lucky so far. I would follow the standard advice and not let turkeys anywhere near to chickens. It might help to ask any neighbouring turkey keepers if they have had a problem with Blackhead or just a high death rate amongst the flocks.
