Sick turkey. Need help.

[frozenchick]

This is my first time raising turkeys. I have 5 birds that are 14 weeks old. For a while everything seemed ok, but now Iam having problems. 1 of my turkeys sounds like he's weezing and always has his mouth open. This can't be normal can it? What could it be? Any suggestions?

The other is worse. One of the turkey's head is very red and bulbous. It's very swollen around his eyes and 1 eye is shut and the other is very weepy. It started a few days ago and is getting worse. I was thinking maybe he ran into something or got into a fight or something, but it seems to be getting worse. I have no idea what to do since I've never kept turkeys before. I will try and get some pictures tomorrow.

 

[al6517]

We have a few turkeys we raise every year, and the wheezing is not really a big deal, the open mouth thing mine do all the time, they are just trying to keep cool. Now the swollen head might be of some concern, if you could put on some rubber gloves get somebody to hold it down comfortably, and get a really good look at it. if it is something like an infection you may want to lance it and treat it.

 

[ivan3]

How old were your turks when you got them (or did you hatch them)? Panting when hot is normal, but if that is the only turkey you've observed wheezing while open mouthed, then your turk's got troubles. Is the wheezing turk continuing this during the night after they've roosted?

Have you observed any of the turks sparring with one another (our jakes started at about that age - but didn't get into serious bloodletting until four months or so)?

Please post pics (sparring injuries are pretty easy to ID). If you have the room you might consider seperating those two out from the others for the time being.

 

[chickenzoo]

Sounds to me like a respiratory illness. I would put both on tylan or La200 for a few days and see if it clears. If not you may need baytril.

 

[Barnbrat]

Oh hey, I've actually had that same problem, and so did my best friend. I found one thing that seemed to help though. It's made by Merrick's Inc out of Wisconsin. It's called a Blue Ribbon Poultry Electrolyte Pack. It contains electrolytes, nutrients, and direct-fed microbials.

Those microbials are dried (and dead) bacteria. It stimulates the bird's immune system. I get it at my local feed store. It cost me under $2.00, and it lasts a long time because you only use about 1.5 teaspoons per gallon. It's the only thing I found that worked for me...worked like a charm too!

If your local feed store doesn't carry it, you might be able to find it online. Do you have chickens? They can catch it too. I hope you don't have your turkey's situated too close to your chickens. That can be dangerous for the turkeys. They can catch this "head cold" (I think it might be Ruup), plus they can also get a liver disease known as "Blackhead". My turkeys are at least 100 feet away from my chickens now. You live and learn

Let me know if you find this Merrick's stuff. I could even send you a pack if you can't. I've noticed this can be a stubborn problem that likes to linger, and it returns from time to time.
I always have that Merrick's pack on hand as part of my arsenal.

 

[frozenchick]

Quote:
The turkeys were 1 day old when I got them. So far I haven't seen any sparring. I am going to take pics right now and will post them in a little bit.

 

[frozenchick]

Here are some pics of that poor turkey. New development-- something pecked out one of his eyes. I don't even know how it happened-he's in isolation. I feel so bad. I would like to save the other eye if possible. I aplogize for the one picture-it's so sad, but this way you can see his head. Rest assured I did clean him up. I just feel really bad. This first experience with turkeys is not going well. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[chickenzoo]

Thats respiratory illness, you need to get them on meds now. Keep them away from anything else you have. It often affects one eye aswell. i would give the Tylan injections to them soon.

 

[frozenchick]

Chickenzoo-
Thanks for your help. Is this common in turkeys? I've never had any problems like this with other poultry. Also where can I get tylosin? I'm assuming I can call the vet, but he won't be in until tomorrow morning. Is there something I could possibly get today (sunday) and start treatment? Thanks for your help.

 

[ivan3]

Frozenchick, definitely looks like infection. Does the other turk that is wheezing exhibit the same swelling as the poor guy in your photos? Is the one in your pics wheezing as well? It is probable that you've got the same process going on in both birds, but it is also possible that is not the case.

I will leave a note over on WS forum and the mods can move this to Emergencies/Diseases/Cures (get more eyeballs on it).

Use the search function and go after TYLAN (I think it is available at tractor supply).

Good luck,

John