Turkey Chick with Runny Eyes, Fluid in Throat, and Slightly Swollen Face

momo18clara

Songster
7 Years
Dec 15, 2012
273
22
108
Missouri
So, unfortunately, I believe these chicks have some sort of respiratory infection, but I figured I would ask for advice, because I am having a terrible time deciding what to do. I have never had to deal with this type of thing before and any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Long story “short”, my little sister has recently taken over caring for our animals and picked up 5 turkey chicks from a swap meet on June 3rd. They couldn’t have been more than a few days old when she got them (one still had his egg tooth), which would make them about 3 weeks old now. Anyway, about a week ago, I checked on them and noticed that two of them had watery eyes, but no other noticeable symptoms. I helped her clean out the brooder really well and then gave them electrolytes, probiotics, and some apple cider vinegar (we’ve given that mixture to them for several days now). However, they have not improved, and in fact seem to have gotten worse.

I believe we have 2 Narragansett, 1 royal palm, and 2 blue slate chicks. But only the blue slate chicks seem sick. The other 3 seem perfectly normal and are bigger than the blue slate chicks.

Their symptoms are as follows: very watery eyes, abnormal noises due to apparent fluid in their throats/noses, and slightly swollen faces. There poo seems ok, but I believe it did smell a little stronger than usual last night. Both seem a little worn out and one of then keeps trying to bury his head in my hands/his buddies’ feathers. They seem to be eating and drinking fine though.

They are in an old rabbit cage at the moment (I have raised many chicks/ducklings in it before) and they were in one of those big metal brooders like hatcheries have before we moved them over to the hutch. Both brooders are in our basement. Chicks were on towels for the first week or so and then moved to wire. We are using a heat lamp right now. They had a rough trip from the swap meet to here, but have had it pretty easy since then. The only thing I can think of is that I did back the heat off a little faster than I usually do in order to get them outside sooner. We are feeding them a non-medicated chick starter.

I`m afraid they may have some sort of repertory infection… they have been isolated since we got them. However, they were in contact with several ducklings and chicks for a few days at one point. My sister is extremely attached to these turkeys and has spent a lot of time making sure they’re friendly, so I absolutely want to do everything I can for these guys. However, we currently have a healthy flock of ducks and chickens on our land and we cannot keep these turkeys quarantined much longer. We don’t have any other turkeys, but I have heard that chickens can get many of the diseases turkeys can. What should I do?! They are only 3 weeks old and they are so sweet now; more pets than anything else at this point.

I`ll post pictures soon. :(
 
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They could have brooder pneumonia. They need fresh air, and clean bedding. If possible I would get them out of your basement. Mine are brooded in a shed with an open window, they also go outside during the day if it's sunny and warm.

Aspergillosis or brooder pneumonia is caused by a fungus that is inhaled and is caused by moldy feed or bedding. There's no treatment and it's recommended to cull to prevent it's spread.

I would keep things clean and hope for the best. It's possible it's actually regular pneumonia which might respond to antibiotics. I would take a wait and watch personally.
 
Thanks for your response!! I cant see a way of getting them out of the basement at the moment... at least not without exposing all of the other animals to whatever they have. I feel like we did a fairly good job keeping their brooder clean and free of mold, and their food was brand new, but I guess you never know. :( I did move them into a bigger brooder by the windows, which are unfortunately sealed shut, and I increased the temp a little (they have plenty of room to get away from it). One of them looks a little better today, but the other one has an eye that is almost sealed shut. :(

Would you recommend I start them on an antibiotic?

If so, what kind and how much?

If they do get better, will this still spread to my other birds (ducks/chickens)?
 
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I might try a broad spectrum antibiotic in their water to see if it helps. You should be able to find something in one of the many farm stores or feed stores. I'm unsure if it's contagious, in my experiences things aren't as big a problem during the warmer months. I personally wouldn't worry about it. I would just keep them separately until they look better.
 
Here are pictures of the first chick. He seems to be doing worse than before. Only one eye is swollen.





Here is the other chick. Both of his eyes look like this one.

 
Ok! Thank you so much!! I actually already have some Duramycin-10. Its been opened, but it doesn't expire till 1/18. It only gives dosages based off of mg tho...I dont have any way of measuring mg. :/
 
That used to come with a little plastic spoon for measuring. I probably would do a pinch in a quart of water, but maybe if you inquire in the disease forum someone might have a better answer.
 

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