Turkey has something wrong with its leg.

[Picklehopper]

Bought baby turkeys about 4 weeks ago. Kept them in a jumbo box with shavings and fed them chicken starter. We have done this before but not pros. They got so big so fast that today we built a temporary pen and put them outside. That's when we noticed one of them has a bum knee/elbow. I don't k ow what you call that part of the chickens leg. It is almost like it is out of joint, maybe a birth defect? Don't know if I can splint it or something and maybe it will grow out of it. Have a video that might help.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are broad breasted? They appear to be, looks like a slipped tendon, broad breasted are known for leg problems. I have raised turkeys on chick starter and they have done okay on it, but it's recommended to use something with a higher protein during the first month. Slipped tendons can be caused by various vitamin deficiencies. Check you feed date to make sure it's fresh. Vitamins added to the water may help though I've never dealt with it personally.

 

[Picklehopper]

They are broad breasted? They appear to be, looks like a slipped tendon, broad breasted are known for leg problems. I have raised turkeys on chick starter and they have done okay on it, but it's recommended to use something with a higher protein during the first month. Slipped tendons can be caused by various vitamin deficiencies. Check you feed date to make sure it's fresh. Vitamins added to the water may help though I've never dealt with it personally.

These are actualy my sons turkeys. He is out of state for another month. I just get to be the turkey sitter. I mad a mistake, the turkeys are and were started on turkey starter, not chicken starter. How do you fix a slipped tendon if it has already been this way for a while?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I believe trying vitamins when it's first noticed might help from what I read, but once it gets too bad it's best to cull. It's mostly a deficiency in manganese, choline, or zinc. Also biotin, folic acid, and niacin.