Turkey Talk for 2014

[Pretty Chickens]

This time of year, I feed my poults chopped Romaine lettuce - per World's Healthiest Foods:

NutrientDRI/DV​

vitamin K107%​

vitamin A45.4%​

folate31.9%​

molybdenum12.5%​

fiber7.8%​

manganese7.5%​

potassium6.6%​

biotin5.9%​

vitamin B15.8%​

copper5.5%​

iron5%​

vitamin C5%​

vitamin B24.6%​

omega-3 fats4.5%​

vitamin B64.1%​

phosphorus4%​

chromium3.5%​

magnesium3.2%​

calcium3.1%​

pantothenic acid2.6%​

Wow this really has everything.

 

[Pretty Chickens]

Not if the older ones are Bb. If they are all the same breed, go for it.

No my BB is for weeks and is only one. He thinks he's a chicken.

 

[nsa19]

Leg problems...HELP!!
Leg problems...HELP!!

#1 of 1
4 hours ago
nsa19
I have 3 two month old turkeys and they are very bow legged. Sometimes they trip and stumble. I just got them on Wednesday (7/30). I game them a nutri-drench thursday and Friday. I mixed niacin with some yogurt and gave them a dose yesterday. They are on a 22% meat bird grower feed.

What to do????

- continue niacin and nutri-drench and wait for results.

- tape legs in the proper position? How long could I leave them like this? Should I isolate them in a small pen so they can't walk too far?

- swim them? Would Luke warm water in a baby pool work? How often?

- Any other suggestions?

Thanks for any help!! This is our first time with turkeys. We haven't had any legs issues w chickens over the years.

They seem alert and healthy other than the legs. They have been eating and drinking well also.

 

[Pretty Chickens]

Leg problems...HELP!!
Leg problems...HELP!!

#1 of 1
4 hours ago
nsa19
I have 3 two month old turkeys and they are very bow legged. Sometimes they trip and stumble. I just got them on Wednesday (7/30). I game them a nutri-drench thursday and Friday. I mixed niacin with some yogurt and gave them a dose yesterday. They are on a 22% meat bird grower feed.

What to do????

- continue niacin and nutri-drench and wait for results.

- tape legs in the proper position? How long could I leave them like this? Should I isolate them in a small pen so they can't walk too far?

- swim them? Would Luke warm water in a baby pool work? How often?

- Any other suggestions?

Thanks for any help!! This is our first time with turkeys. We haven't had any legs issues w chickens over the years.

They seem alert and healthy other than the legs. They have been eating and drinking well also.

Looks like they are to heavy for the legs

 

[Pretty Chickens]

Looks like they are to heavy for the legs

Its better if they don't move around to much.

 

[nsa19]

If its a weight issue that means it will only get worse. They are so small right now. Any ideas on treatment? Anyone?

 

[chickadoodles]

If its a weight issue that means it will only get worse. They are so small right now. Any ideas on treatment? Anyone?

I am not a turkey pro. But if it were me, I would call a vet and ask or call Porters Rare Heritage Turkey and maybe they can help or email them and they might be able to help you. I am sorry, I am still new to raising poultry myself. I have done quite a bit of research online but I have not read or heard of this problem before. I hope you can figure it out. Sorry I was not much help.

 

[nsa19]

Thank you! I may call someone Monday morning.

 

[Pretty Chickens]

I am not a turkey pro. But if it were me, I would call a vet and ask or call Porters Rare Heritage Turkey and maybe they can help or email them and they might be able to help you. I am sorry, I am still new to raising poultry myself. I have done quite a bit of research online but I have not read or heard of this problem before. I hope you can figure it out. Sorry I was not much help.

I think you should call a professional. they know what to do.

 

[TattooedMama]

I hope this might help someone else.

Thursday morning, 4 of 8 poults started flipping over and thrashing, heads thrown back.  Right away, I gave them some beef heart and B complex.  3 semi recovered within hours, but one did not.  The 3 were better, but not their usual rowdy selves.  I was pretty sure I would lose the one who wasn't better.  He continued to seize off and on and was getting weak.  Today, I remembered something.  Alfalfa.  I ran down to the barn for some alfalfa cubes and soaked them in my fermented food until they were soft and broke apart.  I fed the 7 a mix of the alfalfa and FF.  Within a short time, they were running around, flying and launching off the waterer and heater.  The 8th (and oldest) was in a crate by himself.  I tried to get some fluid from the alfalfa/FF mix down him, but not much luck.  I put a little in his bowl and went out to care for the other birds.  I've had a few of the younger poults in the coop acting a little off, so I took them the same mix.  When I got back, I noticed the poult had eaten all his food and looked brighter.  I gave him more and he ate most of it.  He was crying for his buddies, so I put him back with them.  I can't tell there was ever anything wrong now.  This is a vitamin A deficiency.   I normally start feeding a little alfalfa around 3-4 weeks, but I totally forgot this time.  Lesson learned!

I lost all 4 of mine last week from the flipping issue; one by one they got weaker and succumbed. I will try this if I ever have this issue again. I wish this information was posted earlie but I am sure it can help someone else!!

Another interesting thought I had was a trick I use for newborn pups. When my dog gets ready to deliver I keep frozen beef liver on hand which is packed full of nutrients. The liver itself is too strong for newborn pups (and liver acts as a laxative) so I boil it in a bit of water and make a broth. This mixture can bring pups back from the brink of death. It would e interesting to see the effects on poultry, or even other baby animals for that matter. I would assume the bandits are similar across the board. At least, it couldn't hurt if you re at wits end trying to save an animal.