strange acting turkey

[hunter1hall]

I have a narr. tom that has become very lethargic. He has acted this way for about a week now. There are no visible signs of illness or injury. He follows the rest of the turkeys around but he is moving way slower. He keeps his neck down and doesnt strut or gobble now. He usually follows the others and when they start to scratch around an area he lays down. He does still eat and drink, but not with a whole lot of enthusiam. Any ideas what this could be?

 

[bargain]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3093626

See uberman's reply...

How many toms do you have? Have they been fighting with him and now maybe he's humbling himself to keep away from drawing attention. Ours will act like that but only for a short time. An hour/two..They wouldn't go into a prolonged ducking kind of posture. I think he might be sick or badly hurt somehow or malnourished.

Can you approach him and see if you have some respiratory issues going on?

It's been wet in the south as we know. I've heard of other turkey owners having respiratory problems.

please let me know his age and what kind of feed you're feeding him. This time of year, there's not enough protein in the ground for turkeys to "salvage" their needed protein and nutrients.

I would probably isolate him in a large area and give him some attention and rest and extra nutrition....Also please look under his wings for possible fight trauma. Keep me posted please and feel free to pm, although I'm subscribing to this thread.

Best of luck. My prayers are with you on this one.

 

[hunter1hall]

Ok, I havent seen any signs of respiratory distress. His nasal passages are clear and there doesnt seem to be any breathing difficulty. He roams with 2 other toms (bourban red and bronze) there are also 7 hens. They get a 24% protein feed mixed with scratch grains daily. I will have to check under the wings. They all sleep outside on top of the coops. He is the only one displaying any type of ill effects. He doesnt limp and always flies to the roost.

 

[hunter1hall]

I also have been giving electrolytes and vitamins in the water.

 

[bargain]

Do you know if there's any Blackhead in your area? Check with your cooperative extension. I'm copying this from another turkey post.....Since they are free rranging and you have chickens, this might be something that was picked up:

"Yellow droppings and loss of appetite/activity level are sometimes signs/symptoms of Blackhead disease (histomoniasis). A pretty complete description is offered in the link below:

http://www.millerhatcheries.com/Information/Diseases/blackhead_disease.htm

Unfortunately, the most effective med for this is no longer available (Emtryl/Dimetridazole). I was going to refer you to Foy's Pigeon Supplies (were still selling it for pigeon canker last year), but it has been removed from their current catalog in the past two weeks.

A relative that is somewhat effective is Flagyl (Metronidazole) dosage at: Metronidazole 50 mg/kg b.i.d. for 5–7 days (some folks just use one 250mg tab once a day = can't vouch for effectiveness of that).

I'd probably give First State Vet Supply a call (they carry the 250 mg tabs of Metronidazole and can give you a better idea on dosing). http://www.firststatevetsupply.com

If it is Blackhead and your turk survives, clean everything and move the run if possible. Then start worming on a regular schedule with Valbazen.

If your turk doesn't make it, try to get a necroscopy done (only way to be sure). If it isn't Blackhead then the more rigorous cleaning/disinfecting and movement of runs probably wouldn't be necessary. Since the causative agent can remain in the soil for up to three years, can be carried around in different stages of its life cycle by various hosts (earthworms/wild birds/chooks), or eaten and moved around by other animal/insects as well, it is important to find out.

You could also add two tablespoons of organic ACV (Bragg's and Spectrum are common brands) to the water, three drops of polyvisol enfamil (without iron) vitamins a day for a week and try scrambled/chopped eggs to up protein intake.

There are feed additives/arsenicals that are also used - more towards prevention rather than treatment (with lower survival rates) for Blackhead. Someone else will probably have some better ideas."

Good luck!

Last edited by ivan3 (Yesterday 12:13 am)"

 

[hunter1hall]

It seems that what ever was wrong has now begun to go away. He is much more active and seems to be slowly becoming his old self. He has started gobbling again and begins to strut but seems to be very submissive about it. I will update any future progress.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Did he molt?

Steve

 

[hunter1hall]

I dont think so. It didnt look like he did anyway.

 

[hunter1hall]

Well seems like the old boy is back to 100% dont know what it was but it seems to have run its course and he is now strutting and gobbling his head off. Thanks to all that offered opinions. You guys rock!