Passing disease from turkeys to chickens

[chickengammie]

The farm that I live on has many different types of birds. My main concern is whether there is a disease that can be passed from turkeys to chickens that can kill the chickens? I heard rumor of this and since we have had a lot of fairly young chicken hens die for some reason since we have added two new turkey hens to the flock. We have had a turkey tom for years with no issues. Has anyone heard of a disease like this?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The farm that I live on has many different types of birds. My main concern is whether there is a disease that can be passed from turkeys to chickens that can kill the chickens? I heard rumor of this and since we have had a lot of fairly young chicken hens die for some reason since we have added two new turkey hens to the flock. We have had a turkey tom for years with no issues. Has anyone heard of a disease like this?

Welcome To BYC

There are several diseases that can affect different species, so without a necropsy or testing there is no way to know what you are dealing with.

I'm sorry to hear about your losses. The best thing you can do if you have another chicken die is to send the body for necropsy. Some illnesses can be tested by blood, tissue or mucous sample, so if you have a vet that can perform the testing for you that would be one way to do it. Otherwise, contact your state lab or one of the many independent testing labs for more information.

Here is a list that covers some of the most common illnesses as well as where you can find your state lab.

Common Poultry Diseases:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Necropsy and State labs
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
Independent lab testing:
http://www.zoologix.com/

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to BYC, so glad you've joined us.

@Wyorp Rock has offered some very good information to you above. If the turkey you had previously was not infected but the two new birds are/were (they can be carriers without being symptomatic themselves) that would explain the lack of any issues before....

 

[chickengammie]

Thank you so much for all of your advice. I appreciate your help.