Weak turken getting pecked..what do I do??

[Amy1444]

I have 17 4wk old chicks in a huge brooder in my basement. One of my female turkens is feathering out much slower than the rest. She is not lethargic just doesn't look right. Yesterday I noticed she had been pecked in the back of the head, I moved her to a dog crate inside the brooder, but she still would stick her head through the bars and get pecked. My gut feeling is there is something wrong with her, and she will not make it, they know it so they are picking at her..what should I do?

 

[TheFarmMama]

Sorry to hear your girl isn't doing so well. All I can say is seperate her from the rest (as in out of the brooder), keep her warm, and observe her for the next few days until you can better see what is happening. Maybe try some Pedialyte to see if she perks up a bit. Hope all goes well!

 

[AccentOnHakes]

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Put one of the nicer chicks in with her...she might be sticking her head out because she's lonely.

 

[abanjaf]

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I agree. Also, once an "interesting" spot is noticed (such as a peck mark on the back of the head), everyone will continue going for that spot and continue to peck at it. Unfortunately, you'll have to keep her separated until it heals. If your girl is eating, drinking, pooping, and otherwise active, then I wouldn't worry about the slow feathering out. Some just lag a little behind in some departments Also, stores such as Home Depot sell mesh wire that is very fine (can't remember the name of it!) that your girl would be unable to put her head through that you could attach to the dog crate to keep her little head safe!