Turkey Poult in Distress

[TurkeysChicksandDucksOhMy]

Hi folks. We have 6 poults, all 3 weeks old. They are eating, drinking and active. Last night one of them started chirping loudly, running around, both staring and pecking at her legs and feet. She does this whether indoors on chips at night or outdoors on the grass in their little tractor during the day (yes, it's warm outside and yes, they have a lamp if they want it). I suspected mites, but see none. I don't see anything in her feet. She calms down when I soak her feet and legs in warm epsom saltwater. Googling this, I see a few others have had this experience, but no one seems to have an answer. I've given the poults a little extra protein and electrolytes, but it's too early to tell if it helps. Ideas?

 

[Banana01]

Try coconut oil on the legs to soothe and hopefully kill the mites. But youre going to have to deal with the mites if they are the problem.

Do the chickens sleep on the ground or do they have a perch? Do you give them a place to dust bathe durong the day? A warm patch of sand or ashes for example can be a dust bathing area. There are better examples, those are just the ones my chickens use.

Edit: apologize for assuming chickens, turkeys are different. Coconut oil will still work, but you will have to ensure they sleep somewhere free of mites.

 

[nchls school]

Try Vaseline/petroleum jelly on her legs and feet. It may be such a small parasite as to be invisible to your eyes.

 

[TurkeysChicksandDucksOhMy]

Try coconut oil on the legs to soothe and hopefully kill the mites. But youre going to have to deal with the mites if they are the problem.

Do the chickens sleep on the ground or do they have a perch? Do you give them a place to dust bathe durong the day? A warm patch of sand or ashes for example can be a dust bathing area. There are better examples, those are just the ones my chickens use.

Edit: apologize for assuming chickens, turkeys are different. Coconut oil will still work, but you will have to ensure they sleep somewhere free of mites.

Thank you. Yes, I'll try coconut oil (or bag balm) shortly. I added a litter box full of diatomaceous earth this morning and I'll see if she uses that anytime soon. I also tried dusting her feet and legs myself. They have a perch that some use at night, others don't. I'll likely move their tractor to a spot that has more loose dirt/less grass. They don't seem too fond of the box of dirt... Thanks again everyone!
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