Pet turkey seems sick

[GilbertsHuman]

Gilbert, a pet turkey in Georgia, has been molting. Recently, he has been refusing to get off his roost and we have to force him off after he's been on there for more than a day. He has terrible diarrhea and has barely been eating. We don't know if if this is because of the molting season or what to do, if anything. He has never acted like this before and we have very little experience with turkeys (or any other poultry). No vets in our area work with turkeys and I cannot find any other help. Does anyone here have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you!

 

[Bo Garrett]

There are very few vets that work with fowl of any kind, most that have degrees in poultry pathology go to work for large poultry companies. What color is the diarrhea? Does his head appear pale or yellowish in color? Does he look dehydrated, pinch the skin and if it stays pinched then he is probably severely dehydrated. If he is penned with chickens then he may have blackhead or coccidiosis. If is has been a few days with blackhead then he may be beyond help. He will need a penicillin based anti-biotic given daily, I give my 250 mg per day for seven days and I have to catch them when they first become symptomatic, if not they will die within a few days.

Blessings,

Bo

 

[GilbertsHuman]

There are very few vets that work with fowl of any kind, most that have degrees in poultry pathology go to work for large poultry companies. What color is the diarrhea? Does his head appear pale or yellowish in color? Does he look dehydrated, pinch the skin and if it stays pinched then he is probably severely dehydrated. If he is penned with chickens then he may have blackhead or coccidiosis. If is has been a few days with blackhead then he may be beyond help. He will need a penicillin based anti-biotic given daily, I give my 250 mg per day for seven days and I have to catch them when they first become symptomatic, if not they will die within a few days.

Blessings,

Bo

There are very few vets that work with fowl of any kind, most that have degrees in poultry pathology go to work for large poultry companies. What color is the diarrhea? Does his head appear pale or yellowish in color? Does he look dehydrated, pinch the skin and if it stays pinched then he is probably severely dehydrated. If he is penned with chickens then he may have blackhead or coccidiosis. If is has been a few days with blackhead then he may be beyond help. He will need a penicillin based anti-biotic given daily, I give my 250 mg per day for seven days and I have to catch them when they first become symptomatic, if not they will die within a few days.

Blessings,

Bo

No wonder I can’t find a vet. He is not around any chickens and is free range. I’ll check his dehydration. That’s something I hadn’t thought about or known how to check. His poop is green and sometimes yellowish. He’s not as active right now and his head doesn’t turn red very much and I have been attributing that to the molting. I really appreciate your help. We love Gilbert and want to be the best turkey family we can be for him.

 

[GilbertsHuman]

There are very few vets that work with fowl of any kind, most that have degrees in poultry pathology go to work for large poultry companies. What color is the diarrhea? Does his head appear pale or yellowish in color? Does he look dehydrated, pinch the skin and if it stays pinched then he is probably severely dehydrated. If he is penned with chickens then he may have blackhead or coccidiosis. If is has been a few days with blackhead then he may be beyond help. He will need a penicillin based anti-biotic given daily, I give my 250 mg per day for seven days and I have to catch them when they first become symptomatic, if not they will die within a few days.

Blessings,

Bo

Gilbert hasn’t gobbled since molting. We have managed to get one gobble a few weeks ago and it sounded terrible. He’s eating and drinking. Color is pale. He’s picking himself a lot and he’s shedding what I can only describe as dandruff in heavy volumes. Any thoughts?

 

[Bo Garrett]

Possibly dermatitis or chewing lice. Treat for lice first, they will be all over the bird but in greater concentrations around the vent, feather shafts and fluff will be covered in lice eggs.

Blessings,

Bo

 

[GilbertsHuman]

What do you use for lice? I’ve used Diatomaceous earth on him in the past. You are so helpful and I really appreciate it.

 

[Bo Garrett]

I use Adams flea and tick spray, here we have fowl mites and lice, both are difficult to get rid of especially the mites. If left unchecked they will kill a bird because they feed on blood and the bird gets anemic due to blood loss. The chewing lice are different, they will feed on skin at the base of the feather and on the feather fluff robbing the bird of insulation. You can also use seven dust or front line spray, some even use Ivermectin but I have never used this as there are dosing issues and possible side effects.

Blessings,

Bo