"Oops" the deformed turkey (photos may be disturbing to some)

[wanda047]

Several days ago I hatched out 5 wild eastern turkeys and all but one turned out perfectly normal and healthy. #5 however, whom my children named "Oops!" was born with a slightly deformed face/head. She is missing one eye, the left, and that side of her head appears slightly caved in. In addition, the beak is very crooked, unable to shut together correctly. the other side of its face appears normal.

My initial thought was that the turkey would have to be put down as I saw no way of it surviving, assuming it could not eat or drink and would eventually starve. however, she surprised me and is not only drinking, but also eating. Husband still wants to eliminate it... daughter is fighting him on the decision. Any advice or suggestions?

 

[kelseygirl707]

I wish I could help, but I had a button quail hatch like that, and we just put it down, but they are already kinda difficult to keep living, so we just put it down, it wasn't eating or drinking.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Even if this chick manages to eat and drink, it will be at the bottom of the pecking order, and stands a very high chance of being canabalized for its deformities.

 

[gpamela3499]

Unfortunately even if it is OK now, the deformity will probably get worse as it gets older.

 

[rainnotebook]

How heartbreaking... I'm sorry. Don't know what else to say. Breaks my heart.

 

[OmaBird]

One of my favorite pet chickens looked very simular. I don't know what happened to her. One day she was just gone. But she did live a few years. She would climb in our lap to be hand feed. She could eat on her own as long as the food was deep. It was when you threw scratch on the ground that she could not eat.

 

[RedfogsFlock]

I didn't put my girl down and even though as she's gotten older it's gotten worse she does just fine, and keeps up with everyone just fine!

I really enjoy my girl, and she is super rotten! We named her Nemo, cuz Nemo had a messed up fin, and she has a messed up beak! They adapt. I had to feed our girl noodles, and soft food till she got about 2 weeks old. Then we taught her what a feed bag is. Now she goes into the bag of layena and eats till her hearts content! This way she can scoop it up with her beak. In the end it's your decision, mine was to keep my girl.

 

[bufforp89]

I have a duck that was born without eyes on Easter. He is doing super well and has had no trouble adjusting. As long as you are willing to provide the extra care and its not in any obvious pain or discomfort, why not?

 

[chickenzoo]

It is a hard decision, but if it is eating and drinking and you have time for a handicapped animal or perhaps you could find someone who will, then I'd give it a chance...... but that is just me. My animals are more like pets.... all 300 +++ of them.

 

[fowlmamma]

poor thing. i have a turkey with one eye he is always looking at things with his no eye i dont get it theres a hole.