Turkey Limping

[celtic kiss]

Earlier this year my spouse picked up a few chickens and two turkey babies from the local feed store. The turkeys wound up being one mail and one female. They have been going into the chicken coop at night but they are getting larger now. The husband thinks Tom weighs about 20 pounds now. In the last couple of days Tom has started going from a slight limp to being hardly able to walk. There is no sign of any injury. He looks and acts healthy except for that. Christmas (the female) is perfectly fine as are the chickens. Has anyone ever had this happen or know the cause for this? Thanks in advance.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are they broad breasted?

 

[celtic kiss]

I think so, not sure, they the plain white turkeys[

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If they are 20 pounds already than they probably are. Because of their rapid growth and general weight broad breasted can have leg problems. They are meant to be butchered and not to live a long life. Some can stay alive a few years if weight is controlled and they are exercised. Broad breasted should also not roost higher than a foot off the ground because coming off the roosts they can injure their legs because of the weight. Since your bird is getting worse it may be best to butcher it soon if that's the reason you have them.

 

[celtic kiss]

I think you are right about what you suggested and he has been up higher than a foot. I'm leery about butcher him to eat since we don't know 100 percent for sure but I do want to end his suffering.

 

[emmyn74]

I agree that it is because of the rapid growth they are meant to have. His limp will most likely just get worse as he gains more and he will probably start sitting a lot more and wanting to walk less...if wanting for pets I would suggest getting some from a breeder or get a breed that isn't bred specifically for fast growth and meat.

 

[celtic kiss]

We ended his suffering yesterday. He started just scooting between the waterer and the feed bucket and began eating less. If you picked him up and put him down he would just flop onto the ground plus he was losing weight. Thank you all for the advice.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry to hear that, it is unfortunate. Perhaps try some heritage varieties next time. The broad breasted can be sad to try and keep long term.

 

[celtic kiss]

From what everyone here has said it sounds like they are meant to be short term like Cornish X meat chickens and this is good to know going into the future. The female isn't showing any symptoms but has taken to roosting on the 55 gallon feed bucket outside but I think it is due to her height and the size of the door on the coop.