Turkey fell off slaughter truck- Rescued but needs help!

[sumi]

I spotted this thread in the recent activity and had a look to see what happened and how he's doing. You sound very kind and that bird is lucky to have ended up with you! Now let's hope (cautiously optimistic) for a good ending Fingers, toes and eyes crossed!

 

[GrandpaUtz]

I was also wondering about cleaning him up. He is filthy, was laying in that disgusting drainage pit when I picked him up. Would Dawn be okay to use? I know that's what they use on the birds stuck in oil spills... and he's covered in some gross road oils and grime so I thought maybe that would be good?

 

[GrandpaUtz]

I spotted this thread in the recent activity and had a look to see what happened and how he's doing. You sound very kind and that bird is lucky to have ended up with you! Now let's hope (cautiously optimistic) for a good ending Fingers, toes and eyes crossed!

Thank you for the kind words!

 

[andreanar]

I was also wondering about cleaning him up. He is filthy, was laying in that disgusting drainage pit when I picked him up. Would Dawn be okay to use? I know that's what they use on the birds stuck in oil spills... and he's covered in some gross road oils and grime so I thought maybe that would be good?

I wouldn't bother him with a bath right now. Just wipe the worst of it off until he is feeling better. I don't know if he will survive any more shocks.

 

[Windus]

I was also wondering about cleaning him up. He is filthy, was laying in that disgusting drainage pit when I picked him up. Would Dawn be okay to use? I know that's what they use on the birds stuck in oil spills... and he's covered in some gross road oils and grime so I thought maybe that would be good?

I would not do that right now. The shock of your handling him like that might do him in to be honest. More important to keep him warm and try to keep him hydrated.

 

[casportpony]

I was also wondering about cleaning him up. He is filthy, was laying in that disgusting drainage pit when I picked him up. Would Dawn be okay to use? I know that's what they use on the birds stuck in oil spills... and he's covered in some gross road oils and grime so I thought maybe that would be good?

Dirty is okay for now... DO NOT bathe him, bathing a bird in this fragile a state is often enough to kill them, but do check him for lice and mites. If he has either, go to Tractor Supply and get some permethrin poultry dust.

 

[GrandpaUtz]

Okay so to recap, my to-do/grocery list for when I get off work is:

1) Puppy fence to set up his little triage unit
2) PVC pipe/fabric/fittings to make his sling
3) turkey feed
4) Vetericyn Spray for his bruises/wounds
5) Vitamins for his water (Sav-a-chick/Rooster Booster/Poultry Nutridench)

I have a heat lamp from keeping my tortoises already. Can most of this stuff be bought at tractor supply? There is one fairly close to my home.

Before I spray the bruises/scrapes, should I at least wipe them off a little?

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I am prepared for the worst, honestly I did not really think he would make it through the night but now that he did I am really starting to get hopeful. Still trying to stay realistic with my expectations but I want to make sure I do everything I can.

The sling idea is neat! Will he be able to walk around on that thing? Or keep it high enough so that he doesn't have to walk around? I'm thinking low enough so his feet hit the ground, right?

correct low enough so he can touch but up enough that he isnt laying on anything vital and causing his muscles to atrophy

I was also wondering about cleaning him up. He is filthy, was laying in that disgusting drainage pit when I picked him up. Would Dawn be okay to use? I know that's what they use on the birds stuck in oil spills... and he's covered in some gross road oils and grime so I thought maybe that would be good?

not yet, wait for him to gain strength, but when it is time dawn is good

Dirty is okay for now... DO NOT bathe him, bathing a bird in this fragile a state is often enough to kill them, but do check him for lice and mites. If he has either, go to Tractor Supply and get some permethrin poultry dust.

good thought!!

 

[Windus]

Can most of this stuff be bought at tractor supply? There is one fairly close to my home.

Before I spray the bruises/scrapes, should I at least wipe them off a little?

You should be able to get it all at TS. I would just spray the wounds liberally, it should wash away the worst of the dirt.

This bird, I can guarantee, is not used to being handled. You want to keep that to a minimum while he is recovering at least.

 

[Farmgal101]

Hello everybody,

I just found this today, and I am in need of some help!

Yesterday my girlfriend and I got a call saying that there was a scared looking turkey along side the highway near my town. Naturally we hopped right up and zoomed in to rescue the poor guy. I don't have any fowls, but my girlfriend has several chickens and a few ducks at her place, and is willing to take in the turkey once he makes a recovery, so we do have an end-game planned.

Here is the situation: it looks like two turkeys fell off of the truck. One looks like he was dead on impact, but this giant guy survived, and we're hoping to keep him that way. He was by the side of a road, in a little ditch that was full of disgusting drain water (which probably broke his fall/helped him survive) We took him home after stopping by a vet and they said that barring any internal bleeding/injuries that we can't see now, he has a shot.

He must be from a factory farm destined to be a thanksgiving dinner because he is big. I mean huge, has to weigh like 40-50 lbs. His hind quarters look pretty bruised up and scraped, but no big cuts or bleeding. He has been drinking some water, but not eating the oats/seeds we put in a bowl for him. He is right now resting on a bed of straw. Poor guy can't even really stand up, he's too heavy his legs won't support him. We're hoping he loses some weight and takes up walking after some care/a good diet if he survives this initial trauma.

He seems pretty docile, very sleepy but I guess that is normal shock behavior after what he has been through. He probably never has even seen outside before today.

What can I do to give him the best chance? Even over the course of yesterday he looked like he was starting to improve. Some color was returning to his head/gobbler. He started preening himself a little bit and looked like he fluffed up his feathers to dry them out? But this morning before I left for work he looked like he was breathing very fast/shallow. That might be because it is so hot out, though? I'm hoping so.

I have grown way too attached to this turkey way too quickly so any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Saving animals is something I personally love doing.I will be following this thread and, i wish good luck to the turkey ,hope he makes it .You guys are really nice people.