turkey question are they still safe to eat

[Frosty]

I've never heard of swollen heads as a symptom of blackhead, and the area you are describing is the sinus. Depending on when you plan to process them, you can give them some antibiotics if you want. I would recommend Tylan injections. If they appear to be getting better, just watch them. What you are seeing is likely a virus, and personally, I wouldn't hesitate to eat the meat even now, I just wouldn't eat the head

If I recall, even birds with AI are safe to eat as long as they are cooked properly. And there are many strains of AI, some are low pathogen and others are high pathogen. That being said, I know that in our state (North Dakota), if they test your birds for AI and they test positive, they'll be back to find out what strain it is and if it's high or low pathogen. Either way, it's very likely that they will destroy all of your birds. I was really sweating when they tested mine since I have had a few with swollen sinus over the past 10 or so years... I was really relieved that they tested clean.

 

[chathound]

they been sick almost a week but the swelling in thier sinus cavaty is going down pretty fast and their dropping are normal looking to me they arew eating great and drinking great
i hope its just a cold because i didnt have them in a draft free coop when the weather was staying cold and damp but i have fixed that
but i still have them seperated from my older turkeys still

 

[chathound]

I've never heard of swollen heads as a symptom of blackhead, and the area you are describing is the sinus. Depending on when you plan to process them, you can give them some antibiotics if you want. I would recommend Tylan injections. If they appear to be getting better, just watch them. What you are seeing is likely a virus, and personally, I wouldn't hesitate to eat the meat even now, I just wouldn't eat the head

If I recall, even birds with AI are safe to eat as long as they are cooked properly. And there are many strains of AI, some are low pathogen and others are high pathogen. That being said, I know that in our state (North Dakota), if they test your birds for AI and they test positive, they'll be back to find out what strain it is and if it's high or low pathogen. Either way, it's very likely that they will destroy all of your birds. I was really sweating when they tested mine since I have had a few with swollen sinus over the past 10 or so years... I was really relieved that they tested clean.

how do they test them by swab or kill one to test it

 

[Frosty]

AI is a swab, mycoplasma is a blood test.

 

[chathound]

ok i checked the little turkeys today and it is very little swelling one of the turkey swelling is gone just a little discharge from its nasel

but just my luck its raining today
i desided to keep them in that little cage with a light on them till this rain passes

if it is ai or roup im thinking this is going to be a on and off thing for the rest of the turkeys life

 

[kuntrygirl]

ok i checked the little turkeys today and it is very little swelling one of the turkey swelling is gone just a little discharge from its nasel

but just my luck its raining today
i desided to keep them in that little cage with a light on them till this rain passes

if it is ai or roup im thinking this is going to be a on and off  thing for the rest of the turkeys life

I hope they get better.

 

[chathound]

thank you kuntrygirl
i dont get attached to thing i raise for food but these little guys are so dang funny
i open the door to the cage they will run up to me as if they are saying hey guge where you been we miss seeing you i keep food and water there for them they never run out of eather but they just run to me like they wonder where i have been i know they are not running to me couse they miss me
i figure i will keep them alive as long as they keep me smiling lol

 

[kuntrygirl]

thank you kuntrygirl
i dont get attached to thing i raise for food but these little guys are so dang funny
i open the door to the cage they will run up to me as if they are saying hey guge where you been we miss seeing you i keep food and water there for them they never run out of eather but they just run to me like they wonder where i have been i know they are not running to me couse they miss me
i figure i will keep them alive as long as they keep me smiling lol

Good job! Keep us posted.

 

[Arielle]

First of all, most diseases that birds have cannot be transmitted to humans. WHen I had my flock tested for AI, they state was very clear that if any showed up positive for AI to NOT PANIC>they need to retest and determine WHICH flu the birds have. SO please do not panic.

I was also told in that same conversation that most backyard flocks have MG so I should NOT test for it. My state inspector, didn't say I couldn't eat my birds ( assuming if backyard flocks have MG, then it is ok to eat the birds when they have recovered.)

In general, you should never eat an animal that has an active infection; eat only clean healthy birds and animals.

Can you contact your state ag department and ask to talk to an avian specialist? Many of the state colleges have close contact with the state ag dept. YOu should be able to find out with certainty whether or not your birds have a specific disease. YOu may need to give up a bird for a necropsy and testing; and pay for the work.

 

[Frosty]

The one bird that I kept after it had a swollen sinus is my peacock. That was in Oct '08, and it never came back. If yours are going down with no medication, that's actually really promising. In a lot of cases, it stays and hardens, then it needs to be cut out.

As far as MG being on most farms? If folks tested for it and didn't breed or sell birds from an infected flock, perhaps it could be eradicated.