Royal Palm Tom Losing Chest Feathers

[WildestThing]

I have a male Royal Palm turkey, and the other day we noticed he is losing all his chest feathers. The feathers are whole, which makes me think this isn't from lice, although he does have lice in his tail feathers. I sprayed the entire flock, all 8 turkeys and 30 chickens, with Permethrin the other day, and he seemed to lose more after that. The other males are fine, and so are the females.

Also, does anyone know how often to spray with Permethrin? We do have lice and mites, and are trying to get them under control with spray and dust bath. The dust bath has poultry dust, sand, dirt, and DE, but males don't use the dust bath.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see chest feather loss on my toms yearly. It either from them resting on the ground during the day and breaking them off or from mating.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Is it possible from them sparring?Just got two turkeys and just curious?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Is it possible from them sparring?Just got two turkeys and just curious?

Fighting toms grab each other by the face, mouth and neck, twisting and pulling. There can be some jumping but generally they don't use their legs in a fight like a rooster does.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Ok thanks

 

[WildestThing]

I see chest feather loss on my toms yearly. It either from them resting on the ground during the day and breaking them off or from mating.

Thank you! Maybe I shouldn't freak out so much. These are my first turkeys.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you! Maybe I shouldn't freak out so much. These are my first turkeys.

My turkeys will look pretty ratty by fall. A molt always makes them fresh looking again.

 

[MDeezy79]

My toms have the same thing.. bare chested. I personally think its from pushing matches they get into everyday. They get tall as they can and push on each other with there chests to sort out dominance. Its not always the knock down drag out head ripping fights. They chest bump each other all day long. I think they just get worn off. I don't think its lice or bugs because my hens never have it. Just the boys.

 

[WildestThing]

My turkeys will look pretty ratty by fall. A molt always makes them fresh looking again.

Ha! Yes, the males look pretty ratty. Their tails are just feather spikes. Our bronze male still looks pretty good, and I wonder why he does. He was really sick for a while, so maybe the other two males didn't pick on him.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ha! Yes, the males look pretty ratty. Their tails are just feather spikes. Our bronze male still looks pretty good, and I wonder why he does. He was really sick for a while, so maybe the other two males didn't pick on him.

I've on occasion seen a hen picking at a toms chest, so they have something to do with it too. My toms never stop displaying even when laying down, it's the busy season.