Turkey with an indented chest!!

[Bryntee]

Hi there!!!
So I've had previous issues that we've kind of worked passed but now I notice tonight my turkey has an indented chest. He has NEVER had that before. I noticed it tonight but it hasn't been that long that it's been that way as I just carried him to the coop a couple nights ago, like I did again tonight. The other day the neighbors beagle got loose and chased poor turkey under my steps and he hurt his leg. Now the chest indent has showed up. Idk if that is another injury due to being chased or what. He is overweight and has some heart issues is what we discovered before why he was so disoriented on occasion. He doesn't hardly have that happen anymore. Once in a blue moon. He's 2 years old. Otherwise he seems fine. Other than he is limping but that's getting better. I just don't know what to make of the chest indent.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Picture? Is it a broad breasted? Tom or hen?

 

[Bryntee]

Shoot picture I totally forgot to take one!! I'll get one first thing in the morning. I believe we had thought he was a broad breasted. We got him at a "farm" store. He's pure white. He's a tom. The only reason I can see his chest indented is because he lost his chest feathers from sleeping on the floor of the coop. They're slowly growing back. :/

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally all toms have a center indent when they fill their chests with air to display. My toms lose their lower chest feathers too this time of year, they rub them off.

 

[Bryntee]

Hmm I've never seen him have a chest indent before, interesting. Last year this time he didn't have any feathers too lol. He's usually got a huge flabby chest/belly. The indent is a little under his beard. My husband thought maybe he wasn't eating.

 

[Bryntee]

I went back out yesterday morning and his chest was fine. But I figured I'd take a picture of his chest and explain where it was indented at least. It was indented right in the middle by the feather patches if that makes sense. He seemed to have breathing troubles the night I noticed it so maybe that had something to do with it.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is normal, especially for a broad breasted, he will be shaped like those sold in the stores.

Broad breasted often have heart problems and don't live long, so maybe he's starting to have troubles.

 

[Bryntee]

Okay sounds good. Yeah ever since her hurt his leg last week from the dog chasing him, he's been laying down a lot. but I didn't know he was the kind to butcher otherwise I wouldn't have gotten him. He's such a sweet guy. Thank you!