Turkey Talk for 2014

[casportpony]

Quote: X2.

-Kathy

 

[TattooedMama]

I don't think you should eat it. He was very sick.

Not necessarily. Broad Breasted Turkeys have a much harder time than Heritage turkeys; they are simply not as hardy. They can be largely effected by their excessive weight though the poster did not mention, that I saw, how big this bird was. The heat can wipe out animals very quickly.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

Did you take any pics of his head? It sounds like heat exhaustion but that could have been brought on by illness. The black color you mentioned is a cause for concern. Maybe look up some pic's on blackhead and see if it looks like your turkey did. Sorry for your loss of you turkey.

I checked pictures of blackhead and fowl pox, he did not look like either. He had a totally red head and red neck with just a dime sized patch of black on the top of his head. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures. After he was dressed out, he was 11 lbs. I would hate to waste it if it was good meat, but I don't know. As long as the meat is thoroughly cooked, would it be safe either way? All of his organs were pinkish red other than the lungs. The lungs were gray. Is that a cause for concern? Thanks so much for your help!

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Don't know about the gray lungs, maybe some sort of COPD? Blackhead would have been obvious with a nasty looking liver and cecal pouches.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

@lbrykowski2011 , call your state necropsy lab and ask an avian pathologist what diseases can cause gray lungs in poultry.

-Kathy

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: I found this site maybe you can look it over and see if anything fits his symptoms. Milk Weed poisoning has exhaustion, coma and death. Here is the link:
http://albc-usa.etapwss.com/images/uploads/docs/ALBCturkey-5.pdf

I am so sorry, I hope you find the answer but you might also call a local vet and see what they think.

 

[Pretty Chickens]

Are these turkeys big by nature or does the food have some think to make them grow and get fat. Because I know that some farmers give them hormones. I have one turkey and I give him greens and corn. All natural. I really don't know. I am a beginner with turkeys.

 

[chicken pickin]

Are these turkeys big by nature or does the food have some think to make them grow and get fat. Because I know that some farmers give them hormones. I have one turkey and I give him greens and corn. All natural. I really don't know. I am a beginner with turkeys.

The Broad Breasted vaiety(they come in White and Bronze) do get very large it is what they are bred for. They are the commercial type turkeys that one would buy in a grocery store and are considered meat birds. Meaning they do not breed naturally and need to be artificially inseminated to reproduce. They are meant to grow very large in a short amount of time and should be processed for meat and not kept as pets(though some people do keep them as pets with a very restricted diet, but likely will have a shorter life span).

The heritage variety is smaller and slower growing and can bred naturally and be kept as breeders or pets and live long lives.

 

[insanity]

Has anyone noticed a personality difference in the heritage verses the BB breeds? My BBW is calm and almost affectionate while my 2 heritage mutts are squirrely. It is a shame the tamest turkey is the one named Thanksgiving. I was told the heritage pair would make better pets but they act like I'm about to kill them if I approach them. Any tips on taming them?

 

[Dr Mango]

I love watching our nine Bourbon reds running here and there about the farm. Yesterday, two hens (?) about the same size were fighting by wrangling neck strength. It wasn't long before the dominant Tom ran over and placed himself between them. They tried to move away and continue the argument, but the Tom patiently kept himself between them until they gave up and peace once again reigned in the flock. They are all the same age.