whats wrong with him?!

[syble]

These poults are a bit over 1 month now. Fed turkey starter since day 1 (and still on it, they said 6-8 weeks, please let me know if i'm wrong). There is only one like this. I noticed the face a couple of days ago, but its eating and acting normal. Its one of the chunkiest birds, but not one of the overall larger in size (though it might beat most for weight):


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Then when i plucked it from the flock to take a picture of its face i noticed its legs


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the knee joints are like twice as long as the others, and the legs are a bit shorter then others, the foot seams over sized too, not necessarily swollen but XL.

What's wrong with him and is it contagious?!
Thanks for any help!
Sib

 

[chichick]

he's what i call a thanksgiving bird

 

[syble]

we'd like to raise him up to the point of being worth butchering(we'd do him first for beer can turkey), but if hes unhealthy to the point of being a write off, or worse contagious, we dont want to risk the other 14 (and 7 dozen in the incubator).
Thanks
sib

 

[kuntrygirl]

He looks like he is sick. Perhaps a respiratory problem? I have never experienced that with any of my poults, so I do not know for certain. Maybe some of the other experts can chime in with more input.

 

[syble]

nothing odd about his breathing, no rasp/gurgle. I thought there might be a sore or infection in his mouth so i took a look everything looked clear and normal, no mucus or anything...

 

[Dogfish]

Could just be the beginnings of being an ugly teenager.

 

[Frosty]

I did a quick search on joint swelling. Some possible causes: Infectious synovitis; paratyphoid; pullorum; zinc deficiency; staphylococcosis; tenosynovitis; arthritis.

Most that I saw indicated either a viral or a bacterial infection. With the possibility of staphylococcosis... that can be transmitted to humans and can be antibiotic resistant.

I hate to say it, but if it was me I would cull to be on the safe side.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
How is your poult doing this morning?

 

[syble]

attitude/vigor wise hes the same. I don't think its the uglies, the corners of his mouth stick out and the others dont, and he has a couple bumps on his head too, one over one of the eye sockets, the other behind the snood. As i poke and prod him it doesn't seam to bother him. his legs don't feel very swollen, its like the joint bones are bigger then the others, but the legs are shorter, and a bit curved. you can get a better feel for the curve in one of the new photos. the poop looks like all the other poop i've seen. (as a side note is it a defense mechanism to poop, he'll poop a normal poop then if i go to grab him poop again! very annoying and messy).



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Curvy legs



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stubby, with extra long joints



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bumps on his head, though i cant rule the one out from him jumping into the roof of the brooder.

Thanks
Sib

 

[syble]

he's still the same and the others are still fine, Any thoughts?
Thanks
Sib