Need some advice

[Sink Hollow]

We recently purchaced a heritage turkey pair. They are approxiately 9 months old. About a week ago, we came home to find the hen turkey laying on the ground, not able to move its legs. Prior to that, we assume the pair were possibly breeding. We placed them in separate pens. The hen seemed to get better over night, and by the next morning, she was up and walking around. Back to "normal" so we thought. She did lay a soft shelled egg the following day. Two days later, she was down again, unable to use her legs. We have been giving her water and electorlites through a syringe. She seems alert, just cannot use her legs. Does anyone have any advice as to what this is and/or what we can do for her?

 

[ivan3]

First, check for any lacerations along flanks, under wings. If none then, pick her up and hold her back against your chest (arms wrapped around her). Have second person observe movement - if any - of legs. Check legs further by gently stretching them out - how much resistance does she offer to movement?/are toes curled up at all times? Observe for any swelling/discoloration of joints or for obvious fracture.

When she is lying there, is she `assuming the position?' (example below):

 

[Jmiller429]

she can use her legs. This is what hen turkeys do when they want to be bred. They squat low, seem almost paralyzed. Put yer tom back in, that'll take care of it.