Turkey pulling her feathers out

[Glenn Atkinson]

I have a domestic turkey all white with black feathers not sure what breed she is she's not a very large turkey but she is pulling her feathers out by the dozens I have had her for well over a year never had a problem nothing has changed in her feed or anything and now all of a sudden I am dealing with this and have no idea what to do

 

[sourland]

Is she actively pulling out her feathers or is she molting ?

 

[Glenn Atkinson]

When she Grooms herself they are coming out I thought she would be pulling on them I could be wrong maybe it was the way I was looking at her. If she is molting would I be able to pick her up and grab some feathers and would they come out fairly easily to determine if she is molting?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sounds like she's molting. Yup if you pulled they'd come out but I'd leave her alone, molting's hard on them & probably very uncomfortable. Give her extra protein during molt, helps get the new feathers growing.

 

[Glenn Atkinson]

She has been eating the layer feed that I feed my chickens. Is that feed okay for her or should I be feeding her something different?

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't know anything about turkeys however, molting chicken hens stop laying. They are usually given extra protein to help support new feather growth.

 

[007Sean]

X2 @drumstick diva, @ChickNanny13, said.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Maybe asking on the turkey forum would be helpful to you - Turkeys

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us For a turkey hen that age, layer is fine. During molt, I'd also offer some grower if you have it or some other source of high vitamin protein.

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Glenn Welcome!

Sorry, I know zip about turkeys but I see that you have received some good tips and also a link to the Turkey forum so I will just add that I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.