Universal Feed???? Sickness

[Tunastopper]

I have been feeding Universal Turkey crumble for a very long time. I bought 9 bags last week. I feed about 70-80 pounds a day. 4 of the bags looked very different. They looked like they had a brown mineral like powder or vitamins or something in them. I should not have feed them when I noticed they looked different. I was to buzy to go to the feed store to take them back. I feed them thinking they would not hurt them. I am 99% sure the food has killed 10 adult birds in 24 hours, and it looks like I will lose more. I have almost no symptoms until either I find them dead or they are about to die. Does that sound like it is toxic. My feed store was saying they had no complaints then one of the kids that loads my food told the owner I am the only one that buys turkey feed. Is anyone else feeding this and having a problem? My empty bag says it was made 6/24/10. I have never seen anytghing like this. One minute they are fine. Next time I look they are dead. The only weird thing, is none of the younger birds have died.

 

[ivan3]

I'd have necroscopies performed on at least two of the turks (rule out any other cause of death). Results should take about 10 days. Hang on to remaining suspicious feed. If this isn't a disease unrelated to feed, I'd think the feed manufacturer would be more cooperative with results and feed in hand (I'd have feed analyzed as well if the necroscopies come back negative).

Maybe Steve or one of the other wise `beards' know of some great detox. method, all I know about is the molasses flush.

Maybe the young ones couldn't get a large enough dose of toxin per lb/kg?

Sorry about the losses and good luck!

 

[Tunastopper]

I wish I could have a necroscopies done. I am laking time and I have no idea who does this on turkeys. My vet is even closed tonight. He does not take turkeys. The best I can do is just wait and see if the change in feed stops the deaths. I did have less deaths today than yesterday. I am leaving on vacation in the morning. I am freaking out. This is going to spoil my vacation. How can I relax with this going on? I have two trusted people comming to take care of the birds while I am gone. This is not what they agreed to do. I don't even have any advise to tell them. Is it to much to ask for them to burry anyone that might die? Wish them luck and me too.

 

[thaiturkey]

I'm sorry about your losses, especially with the bad timing.

Apart from anything else that you can do to contain this, could they be fed heavily on greens and any other treat to try to flush the suspect feed through them as quickly as possible.

You get through a lot of feed so I assume you have a lot of turkeys. Can you separate them into small isolated groups for the time being?

Can you get the suspect feed analysed? If you have been the only one to buy it it may be from an old batch that is either contaminated or chemically deteriorated.

 

[Denninmi]

I think you should contact your state's veterinary health service, which is a part of your state's Ag department. This is what they do -- try to figure out what is going on with animal health issues. It can't hurt to ask, anyway, to see if they can help you.

You also should probably call the manufacturer and see what they say. They may just clam up, fearing a lawsuit. Or, they may admit to a manufacturing error or there may already be a recall going.

 

[Tunastopper]

Interesting. I just found a partcal bag of the food that was brown. That bag does not have any dates on the lable. I wonder what that means. I new the bags where not all the same. I talked to my feed store again. She is going to talk to the manufacture and get back with me. She also does not have any bags left from last week. Thats strange if I am the only one that buys it, and she wanted to sell me some this morning.

 

[Tunastopper]

Quote:
Both of my pens are far apart. Both had the same food. Both had deaths equal. If I find them right before they die, I have been putting them in a pen by themself. They do not live long. One lived 4 hours the rest went very fast. They lose the ability to walk and then just die. I do have alot of turkeys but I have not had anyone sick in years. All of the dead are over a year old. No turkeys under a year have died. Yet!

 

[ivan3]

Tunastopper wrote: Interesting. I just found a partcal bag of the food that was brown. That bag does not have any dates on the lable. I wonder what that means. I new the bags where not all the same. I talked to my feed store again. She is going to talk to the manufacture and get back with me. She also does not have any bags left from last week. Thats strange if I am the only one that buys it, and she wanted to sell me some this morning.

Can you, or the folks taking care of your turks, run down a different brand of feed from another location? I'm actually hoping this is feed related and the death rate will zero out since the flocks are no longer being exposed. If the deaths continue then the state or University vet school might be able to perform necroscopy (should be able to run down that info on the web). Might want to dig a trench and get a bag of lime (and I'm sure hoping it won't have to be used).

Hang on to that bad feed and your receipts and at least one turk on ice (better if only refrigerated, but don't know how long you will be away). Could be the feedstore or the manufacturer if this is feed related.

If you contact the state vet and tell them about the rapid course and many losses they might send someone out to rule out any epornitic/contagion and do it for free.

Sure hoping this burns out ASAP.

Best of luck and hang in there!​