Turkey Passed Away

[PureBigBird]

An 8 wk old turkey ate a white rock the size of a quarter about 4 days ago; was free ranging near the coop and it found it...and I tried to take it out of the mouth, but it swallowed it; it seemed to be okay--ate daily, drink lots of water, was happy, stools were perfect (one issue however was that it would pant more than the other turkeys--always had done it even at a few weeks old) until last night noticed that didn't eat with the flock just looked into the feeder while others ate by its' side, and then, VERY early in am, I heard one of them calling; went to see them; the little bird was laying flat on its back with the tail slightly spread...as if someone had lain it there. I had given them water at 10:30 pm (dinner at 9 pm)--the little turkey passed before 3:20 am. She seemed fine at 5:30 pm--when I put them in the coop. The coops temp is never more than 84 degrees and has a fan, yet, they drink all their water in the night (sometimes spill it too). Could a turkey die from consuming a large rock? Upsetting. Other turkeys appear fine.

 

[TattooedMama]

I'm no expert but I don't see how it could pass something that big. Maybe someone will correct me?

 

[PureBigBird]

I was hoping that the turkey could pass the rock from the crop to the gizzard, but from what you say, doubt...
(1) how large can a crop expand?

(2) how much does the proventriculus expand to allow food into the gizzard?
Info on digestion: http://feistyhome.phpwebhosting.com/anatomy.htm

(3) will turkeys at 8 weeks kill another turkey?
...have seen some really nasty dominance with one of the males...

the day before it passed, being larger than the others, the turkey would not submit for some time...
Have had to separate and clean pecking holes!