sick acting trukey hen

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
Who woulda thought that searching for Vitamin E gel caps with Selenium would be a journey to nowhere.

Well almost nowhere. I went to 7 stores and only 1 store (the last store I visited) had Vitamin E gel caps with Selenium along with 999,999,999 other vitamins. Is E-400 with Selenium the same as Vitamin E with Selenium? The poor pharmacist had no idea. Is it the Vitamin E or the Selenium that will help the wry neck or a combination of both? The reason that I'm asking is because the Vitamin E only had 25mcg in it and the E-400 had 100 mcg of Selenium. I'm so confused. I guess that's what I get for going into an Organic Store.

And now the hunt is on for the Fish Zole. Wish me luck.

 

[marquisella]

Quote:
When I was thinkng about getting turkeys, I was concerned about blackhead, and I was told by someone who knows turkeys, that because I also had had guineas for 5 years and they never got sick in with the chickens, that I would be ok. If you have guineas with your chickens as well, then you probably don't have blackhead.

Apparently they can get blackhead as well.

Have you considered it could be a change in feed? The poops look pretty normal.

Sue

 

[deerman]

Quote:
When I was thinkng about getting turkeys, I was concerned about blackhead, and I was told by someone who knows turkeys, that because I also had had guineas for 5 years and they never got sick in with the chickens, that I would be ok. If you have guineas with your chickens as well, then you probably don't have blackhead.

Apparently they can get blackhead as well.

Have you considered it could be a change in feed? The poops look pretty normal.

Sue

Read the following, you will see the guinea are 3rd on the list of carriers of blackhead.....Main thing if free ranging together ,keep all birsd wormed ,as caecal worms carry blackhead, and earthworms are host to caecal worms.





It is common that veterinarians and other investigators are unable to find Heterakis worms associated with outbreaks in turkeys. If the above discussion is considered, then it would be logical that the infection comes from outside the flock, probably tracked inside by a worker on the shoes. The source of such contamination is most likely chickens, which are often found not too distant from the turkey flock.

A review of the literature shows that chickens, among the domestic gallinaceous birds, are the best hosts for Heterakis worms, and that the eggs produced by these worms in chickens are the best for causing disease when inoculated into turkeys. Lund and Chute (1969) found that young chickens were 16 times as effective as mature chickens in hosting caecal worms, and that young turkeys were almost negligible in this respect. Lund and Chute (1973) tested eight species of gallinaceous birds and found that the Chinese ringneck pheasant was the best host for caecal worms, followed by chickens and guinea fowl.

In modern poultry production, it is not unusual for farms used for one type of poultry to be converted to rearing of another type. Probably the most disastrous example is the conversion of broiler breeder farms to the rearing of turkeys. It is commonly agreed that all broiler breeder farms are heavily contaminated with caecal worm (Heterakis gallinarum) eggs, which are the only known biological vector of the blackhead organism. (Earthworms can harbour caecal worms until they are eaten by chickens or turkeys, but this is only an 'extra' reservoir of infection and not a necessary part of the life cycle). Such farms reportedly remain infective to turkeys for many years.

Last edited by deerman (01/29/2011 4:32 pm)

 

[marquisella]

Quote:
When I was thinkng about getting turkeys, I was concerned about blackhead, and I was told by someone who knows turkeys, that because I also had had guineas for 5 years and they never got sick in with the chickens, that I would be ok. If you have guineas with your chickens as well, then you probably don't have blackhead.

Apparently they can get blackhead as well.

Have you considered it could be a change in feed? The poops look pretty normal.

Sue

Read the following, you will see the guinea are 3rd on the list of carriers of blackhead.....Main thing if free ranging together ,keep all birsd wormed ,as caecal worms carry blackhead, and earthworms are host to caecal worms.





It is common that veterinarians and other investigators are unable to find Heterakis worms associated with outbreaks in turkeys. If the above discussion is considered, then it would be logical that the infection comes from outside the flock, probably tracked inside by a worker on the shoes. The source of such contamination is most likely chickens, which are often found not too distant from the turkey flock.

A review of the literature shows that chickens, among the domestic gallinaceous birds, are the best hosts for Heterakis worms, and that the eggs produced by these worms in chickens are the best for causing disease when inoculated into turkeys. Lund and Chute (1969) found that young chickens were 16 times as effective as mature chickens in hosting caecal worms, and that young turkeys were almost negligible in this respect. Lund and Chute (1973) tested eight species of gallinaceous birds and found that the Chinese ringneck pheasant was the best host for caecal worms, followed by chickens and guinea fowl.

In modern poultry production, it is not unusual for farms used for one type of poultry to be converted to rearing of another type. Probably the most disastrous example is the conversion of broiler breeder farms to the rearing of turkeys. It is commonly agreed that all broiler breeder farms are heavily contaminated with caecal worm (Heterakis gallinarum) eggs, which are the only known biological vector of the blackhead organism. (Earthworms can harbour caecal worms until they are eaten by chickens or turkeys, but this is only an 'extra' reservoir of infection and not a necessary part of the life cycle). Such farms reportedly remain infective to turkeys for many years.

Last edited by deerman (01/29/2011 4:32 pm)

OK, but my point was, that if in 5 years, my guineas didn't get blackhead, the liklihood o the turkeys getting was less. I've had my turkeys now since November, and they are find and they are in with the chickens. THis is my experience.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Read the following, you will see the guinea are 3rd on the list of carriers of blackhead.....Main thing if free ranging together ,keep all birsd wormed ,as caecal worms carry blackhead, and earthworms are host to caecal worms.




It is common that veterinarians and other investigators are unable to find Heterakis worms associated with outbreaks in turkeys. If the above discussion is considered, then it would be logical that the infection comes from outside the flock, probably tracked inside by a worker on the shoes. The source of such contamination is most likely chickens, which are often found not too distant from the turkey flock.

A review of the literature shows that chickens, among the domestic gallinaceous birds, are the best hosts for Heterakis worms, and that the eggs produced by these worms in chickens are the best for causing disease when inoculated into turkeys. Lund and Chute (1969) found that young chickens were 16 times as effective as mature chickens in hosting caecal worms, and that young turkeys were almost negligible in this respect. Lund and Chute (1973) tested eight species of gallinaceous birds and found that the Chinese ringneck pheasant was the best host for caecal worms, followed by chickens and guinea fowl.

In modern poultry production, it is not unusual for farms used for one type of poultry to be converted to rearing of another type. Probably the most disastrous example is the conversion of broiler breeder farms to the rearing of turkeys. It is commonly agreed that all broiler breeder farms are heavily contaminated with caecal worm (Heterakis gallinarum) eggs, which are the only known biological vector of the blackhead organism. (Earthworms can harbour caecal worms until they are eaten by chickens or turkeys, but this is only an 'extra' reservoir of infection and not a necessary part of the life cycle). Such farms reportedly remain infective to turkeys for many years.

Last edited by deerman (01/29/2011 4:32 pm)

OK, but my point was, that if in 5 years, my guineas didn't get blackhead, the liklihood o the turkeys getting was less. I've had my turkeys now since November, and they are find and they are in with the chickens. THis is my experience.

Oh not all area , or all birds are carriers, but just takes one. these birds when they get blackhead they just become carrier...you can't tell by looking at them, its because they have caecal worms.

Yes I hear people raise all birds together many times.......but then you will hear about people losing a flock of turkey or peafowl to blackhead. In most all these cases they had chicken or guineas with them.

Just keep your birds wormed, and be carefull when bring need birds home.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Aren't wild birds also sources of worms?

Steve

 

[ivan3]

Steve_of_sandspoultry wrote: Aren't wild birds also sources of worms?

Pheasants are big shedders of eggs, certainly. However, non-gallinaceous birds could certainly serve as mechanical vectors, dropping off `loaded' earthworms.

USGS/FWS `Big book of `Bad Things'' : http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/ (handy reference)
The relevant chapter: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_35.pdf

There is also some evidence that, under the `right' (poor husbandry) conditions, insects might serve to move the parasite along: http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/772421__780511931.pdf (link intermittent/abstract below):

Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoan parasite causing histomoniasis (histomonosis), a disease of gallinaceous fowl. In order to determine whether the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus, is capable of harbouring H. meleagridis, the presence of the parasite was tested by polymerase chain reaction in lesser mealworms collected in the field. Parasite DNA was detected in two larvae from two farms undergoing an outbreak of histomoniasis. Insects were also artificially infected, killed after incubation and analysed by
polymerase chain reaction for the presence of parasite DNA. After 4 days, two larvae (out of 20) remained positive. In another experimental infection to investigate the viability of histomonads in the larvae, living parasites were detected in five of 20 larvae 4 days after infection. These results indicate that although A.diaperinus can become infected with H. meleagridis it appears to have a low susceptibility to infection and would probably not be a major route of contamination between flocks.

The description `Blackhead', if I'm not mistaken, ref. to the damage to tissue set into motion by cyanosis and resulting in secondary bacterial infections.


Some other links with gen. info:

http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/bulletins/bulletin_25.pdf
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/internal_parasites.pdf


Dry, clean, conditions, regular worming schedule and otherwise seeing to the maintenance of stress free turks certainly should decrease the chances of their being overwhelmed by some `bug' or other that arrives on the freaky flukey. H.G./H.M. can usually be prevented/treated and, for most folks, is rather low on the list of potential diseases their turks will be exposed to. If one ranges the turks in areas where there are populations of Wild Turkeys/Pheasants it is a good idea to check with the DNR/State Vet/other turkey owners in your area to determine general incidence/prevalence of ANY reported diseases. Procuring all chooks either by hatching/day old and making doubly sure their coop/run is clean and dry is also a good idea.

Here is some info. on another nasty customer that is moved about by common flies (Cochlosoma anatis/ investigated here at UMC and at UAR):

http://comp.uark.edu/~aszalan/sheriESA2004.pdf​

 

[deerman]

Thing is I learn long time ago from my dad about mixing turkey and chicken.......he was wise about birds, he couldn't tell me why except blackhead.

I found out alot later.......can it be done yes , but not a good idea. if you do keep a eye out for blackhead ,keep all birds wormed.


I am not saying thats the only way turkey get blackhead.

I Also tell people not to feed earthworms for same reason......yes sure they will eat them ,but why risk more.

Like my peafowl , the numbers i had and type worth well over $10,000 , sure not worth the risk to pen chicken with them.

That one chicken that could be a carrier, could play heck on my flock.

For that person with just a few or who free range , your risk is smaller.

So yes freerange turkey could get blackhead from wild birds........but why risk more

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Really the bottom line is the blackhead has to be present in the area for your birds to get it. Be it from chickens or wild birds. I see a bunch of robbins in my front yard looking for worms right now, i'm quite sure they are making their way over to the pens sooner or later. unless I leep all my flocks in a sterile bubble the chance is always there.

Steve

 

[deerman]

Steve , not sure robin carry blackhead, wild pheasant and turkey yes and even wild turkey would die. be hard for those to spread it to birds in pens. Plus chicken are move from many areas.

All anyone has to do is read post on here to see where people have lost turkey and peafowl to blackhead, and in most of these cases it those house with chicken.

Some people can raise them together, but to tell people its ok. That could be bad , never know if their chicken are carriers or not.