I'm sorry if this is not posted in the correct place... I haven't been on this website in a few years and things have changed. I have been rescuing neglected chickens and other birds for 10 years. Mostly chickens and parrots, but I'm not as knowledgeable regarding turkeys. Anyway, last year at a property down the road from me, the people left 3 turkeys behind to fend for themselves all winter. The guy only came back periodically to give them corn...not proper food. (I later saw the bags of corn and they were wet and moldy). Finally 3 months ago I convinced the owner to let me have the turkeys. The bourbon red hen (4 yrs old) was limping. I asked him what happened and of course he had no idea. Some days were better than others for her since being here. She always limps, but gets around quicker some days. She always eats, drinks, and even laid eggs until she started molting a week ago. But for the past week, she's been less active. Can still get up high to roost though. Within the last week, one foot has swelled and she now has a black sore on the front of keel bone. This is NOT bumblefoot, I've checked her feet 4 times. I was also trained by my vet friend on how to check stool samples with a microscope. I've checked that 3 times...NO worms OR coccidiosis. I've tried turmeric for swelling to no avail, and vitamins and probiotics in case she had a deficiency from prior ridiculous poor diet. So now I'm wondering if it could be gout...? I saved her life and I don't want to give up on her. I think both hens are under weight still. The blue slate is 13 pounds and the red is 11. PLEASE...does anyone have any advice regarding what else I can do? I appreciate any help.
