Is this blackhead?

[Ahavati]

One of our turkeys has been acting funny. Just hanging out in the pen, not walking around with the other two. When he is in the pen with the others, they peck him constantly. He's been fluffed up
, closes his eyes a lot, keeps his mouth open, I noticed his poop, which I am attaching a picture of. I saw a yellowish tinge to the poop and have read that means blackhead.

- Is he too far gone for meds?
- I know there is some fish med I can give him? We are in a small town so it would have to be at TSC or Wal-Mart.
- If I give him that med, is he safe to eat later? Can you eat them after they've contracted blackhead? (he was supposed to be TDay dinner this year and the other two were a breeding pair)
- How is blackhead spread? If the others have it, can they pass it through the eggs?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Kiki]

@casportpony is our professional poop inspector.

I know nothing about turkeys.
You can read about blackhead here:
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/viewhtml.php?id=343#diagnosis

 

[casportpony]

Is he still alive?

That sure could be blackhead, and since he is not a pet, there is nothing you can give him since all blackhead medications are banned for use in all food animals.

It's possible that it's something else, but without access to a variety of medications I fear it's a losing battle, so unless you can get him to a vet, euthanasia might be the most humane thing to do.

If/when he dies, I strongly suggest that you do a necropsy and examine all of his organs and all of his digestive tract.

 

[Kiki]

What happened with this guy?

 

[Ahavati]

He didn't make it. We didn't do a necropsy, but none of the others in the flock ever showed anything remotely of the same signs.

 

[Kiki]

He didn't make it. We didn't do a necropsy, but none of the others in the flock ever showed anything remotely of the same signs.

Sorry to hear that.
Thank you.